of respect from the different ranks in our service.  A representative may dictate to an admiral, a captain of a man of war would be censured for the same thing:  therefore, you will see the propriety of my steering close between the two situations.  I have sent you my orders, which your abilities as a sea-officer will lead you to punctually execute.  Not a ship more than the service requires shall be kept on any particular station; and that number must be left to my judgment, as an admiral commanding the squadron detached by the commander in chief to the extent of the Black Sea.  I shall, of course, keep up a proper communication with the Turkish and Russian admirals, which net captain of a man of war under my orders must, interfere in.  I am, Sir, your very humble servant,

     “Nelson.”

     “Sir William Sidney Smith.”

The above epistle, which was accompanied by a regular order, dated the preceding day, for Sir William Sidney Smith, captain of his majesty’s ship Le Tigre, to put himself under Lord Nelson’s command may certainly be considered as sufficiently severe; and, it is probable, his lordship was of that opinion:  but he judged it necessary, for his own comfort thus plainly to deliver his sentiments, however painful the task, that he might escape any repetitions of what must continue to excite unpleasant feelings.

On this day, too, Lord Nelson wrote to Captain Ball, from whom he had received letters which gave hopes of a speedy termination to his long and arduous labours.  The deputies lately arrived from Malta had solicited supplies of arms, ammunition, and money, from his Sicilian Majesty; and their application, it will appear, had not proved in vain.  Money, cloathing, &c.  Lord Nelson informs Captain Ball, are difficult to be got; however, some will be sent.  “You will,” he adds, “receive seven thousand ounces, which the king confides in you to dispose of to the best advantage.  Whenever the French are driven out, you are certainly fitted for the station of chief, and I should suppose his Sicilian Majesty could have no objection to give you the proper appointments.  You are sure, I shall do every thing that is in my power, for your honour and benefit.  Having said this, I will finish, for I am tired to death with writing.”  His lordship, however, does not conclude without observing that he trusts to nothing but his blockade for the reduction of Malta; that there is yet no news of the emperor’s movements, but move he must; that all the lower order of the kingdom of Naples are ready to take arms against the French; that ten thousand Albanese are near Messina; and that ten thousand Russians are on that side Constantinople, for the same destination, besides the Russian army passing the Tyrol.  “Apropos,” he at length concludes, “the Emperor of Russia has sent me his picture, in a magnificent box; but, this shall not prevent my keeping a sharp look out on his movements against the good Turk.”