for the British troops to be removed from Messina into Naples, to guard the persons of their majesties.  Whenever your name is mentioned, I can assure you, their expressions are the very handsomest that tongue can utter; and, as is my duty, both as my commander in chief, and my friend, I do not fail ever to speak of you in the only way, if truth is spoken, that you can be represented, as the very ablest sea-officer his majesty has, and as the best and truest friend that can be in this world.  My dear Lady Hamilton is always my faithful interpreter, on all occasions; and, never with so much pleasure.  My dear lord, you will forgive my short sketches of what is going on here; for neither my head, nor my hand, is equal to what is absolutely necessary for me to write:  therefore, all private correspondence is given up; for, I cannot answer a letter.  Three of Sir William Sidney Smith’s ships, with sick Frenchmen, are stopped by Troubridge; the poor devils are sent to Corsica.  I am very much displeased with this Levant commodore with a broad pendant.  I send one of his passports.  We are not forced to understand French!  Malta is as usual, the moment a land force arrives it will fall.  God bless you, my dear lord.”

In a letter written the preceding day to Earl Spencer, Lord Nelson says, speaking of the affairs of Naples—­“I think it very probable that, in ten days, their Sicilian Majesties will be again in Naples.  These happy prospects have been brought about, first, by the war of the emperor; secondly, by the wonderful loyalty of the lower order of the people; and, lastly, I flatter myself, I may say, by the conduct of the English.  Captain Troubridge has given a portion of that spirit he possesses to all who communicate with him.  On the 25th, Macdonald left the town, for Capua; with all the troops, except five hundred in the Castle of St. Elmo.  Orders have been given, by the Jacobin government, for the batteries not to fire on the English ships.  In short, the communication with Naples is so open, that a general took a boat from the city, and came on board Troubridge, to consult about surprising St. Elmo.  The civic guards have individually declared, that they assembled to keep peace in the city, and not to fight.  Many of the principal Jacobins have fled, and Carraccioli has resigned his situation as head of the marine.  This man was fool enough to quit his master, when he thought his case desperate; yet, in his heart, I believe, he is no Jacobin.  The fishermen, a few days ago, told him, publicly—­“We believe you are loyal, and sent by the king; but, much as we love you, if we find you disloyal, you shall be among the first to fall.  I am not, in person, in these busy scenes; more calculated for me, than remaining here, giving advice.  But their majesties think the advice of my incompetent judgment valuable, at this moment; therefore, I submit:  and can only say, that I give it as an honest man, one without hopes or fears; therefore, they get at the truth, which their majesties have seldom heard.”