go into the Bay of Naples, and I think we can make a revolution against the French; at least, my endeavours shall not be wanting.  I hope to go on the service myself, but I have my doubts if the King and Queen will consent to my leaving them for a moment.  A few days past, I was presented, in due form, with the freedom of the city of Palermo in a gold box, and brought upon a silver salver.  I have endeavoured so to conduct myself, as to meet the approbation of all classes in this country, and I hope to be equally fortunate in meeting your lordship’s.  A ship is in sight, from Malta.  I shall keep this letter open till her arrival; but I do not expect any thing particularly good.  The blockade must continue, to the end of the chapter; for neither Maltese, nor Italians, will fight by themselves.  Ever your lordship’s faithful, and obedient,

     “Nelson.

“P.S.  I send your lordship copies of Captain Ball’s letters from Malta.  It is not for me to judge the propriety of Captain Ball’s plans; but, I can assure you, he is a man of great judgment and abilities, and ought to have a recompence for all his expence and trouble.”

The letters of Captain Ball principally related to taking men into British pay; those of the Turkish and Russian admirals, from Corfu, were highly satisfactory, giving assurances of all possible assistance; and that from the Emperor Paul of Russia, congratulatory of the glorious victory of the Nile, was in the highest degree flattering, and accompanied by the emperor’s picture, in a box magnificently set with diamonds.  His lordship, however, learned that Corfu, though daily expected to fall, had not yet surrendered; and that Le Genereux unfortunately escaped the vigilance of the blockading squadrons, on the 5th of February.  From Constantinople, he received the agreeable information that the Grand Signior had ordered ten thousand Albanese troops to Sicily; but Sir Sidney Smith’s letters, luckily blending his naval and ministerial characters, so outraged Lord Nelson’s nice sense of propriety, that it renewed all those keen sensations of inquietude which had been so recently tranquilized in our hero’s breast.

This circumstance produced the following letter to Sir Sidney Smith; which serves to shew that his lordship, though displeased on the occasion, was not altogether unjust in requiring better future discrimination.

     “Vanguard, Palermo,
     8th March 1799.

     “SIR,

“I have received your letters of January the 23d, February 6th, 10th, and 23d.  Your situation as Joint-Minister at the Porte, makes it absolutely necessary that I should know who writes to me:  therefore, I must direct you, whenever you have ministerial affairs to communicate, that it is done jointly with your respectable brother, and not mix naval business with the other; for, what may be very proper language for a representative of majesty, may be very subversive of that dicipline