blush for me.  These things are in the hands of a good and wise Providence; and, his will be done!  I have got some trifle, thank God, to leave to those I hold most dear, and I have taken care not to neglect it.  Do not think I am low-spirited on this account, or fancy any thing is to happen to me; quite the contrary:  my mind is calm, and I have only to think of destroying our inveterate foe.  I have two frigates gone for more information, and we all hope for a meeting with the enemy.  Nothing can be finer than the fleet under my command.  Whatever be the event, believe me ever, my dear Davison, your much obliged and sincere friend,

     “Nelson and Bronte.”

As, however, the combined fleet did not immediately come out, his lordship soon grew apprehensive that they were very little disposed speedily to venture from port; and, therefore, began to consider how he might annoy them even there.

“If they do not come forth soon,” writes his lordship, on the 14th, to the Honourable Captain Blackwood, “I shall then rather incline to think they will detach squadrons:  but, I hope, either in the whole, or in part, we shall get at them.  I am confident in your look out upon them.  I expect three stout fire-ships from England; then, with a good breeze, so that the gun-boats cannot move, and yet not so much but that a gig can with ease row out, I should hope that, at least, the gentry might be disturbed:  and I should not be surprised if Mr. Francis and his catamarans were sent, and Colonel Congreve and his rockets.  But, all this keep to yourself; for officers will talk, and there is no occasion to put the enemy upon their guard.  When those things arrive, we will consult how to manage them, and I shall have the two bombs ready by that time.”

On Lord Nelson’s arrival in the Mediterranean, he had felt it his most difficult task to send home Sir Robert Calder.  “I had never,” said his lordship, speaking on this subject to his confidential friends, “but two enemies in the profession, that I know of, Sir Robert Calder, and Sir John Orde; nor do I feel conscious of having ever given either of them any just cause of offence.  However,” added this excellent and exalted man, “I will, at least, endeavour to make Sir Robert love me.”  Accordingly, on communicating his orders to this unfortunate commander, he earnestly advised him not to return home immediately; but to serve with himself on the expected glorious occasion, after which, there could be nothing to apprehend from any trivial enquiry respecting what might previously have happened.  Sir Robert, however, though he could not but feel sensible of his lordship’s kindness, was resolved by no means to protract his justification; and Lord Nelson, finding him determined to go home, as a last proof of tenderness and respectful consideration for a brother officer thus disagreeably situated, insisted that, instead of Sir Robert’s departing in a frigate, as directed, he should at least