“for,” concludes he, in his answer to Lord Keith, dated the 16th of June, on board the Foudroyant, at sea, “I consider the best defence for his Sicilian Majesty’s dominions is, to place myself alongside the French.  That I may be very soon enabled to have that honour, is the fervent prayer of your lordship’s most obedient servant,

     Nelson.”

Though Lord Nelson felt that he had no force fit to face the enemy, and was resolved never to get out of their way—­“I cannot think myself justified,” said his lordship, writing to the Earl of St. Vincent, this same day, “in exposing the world—­I may almost say—­to be plundered by these miscreants.  I trust, your lordship will not think me wrong, in the painful determination I conceived myself forced to make; for agonized, indeed, was the mind of your lordship’s faithful and affectionate servant.”

The fact seems to be, that Lord Nelson had not the smallest apprehensions of any serious designs on Minorca; and greatly feared that, if he should entirely quit the protection of Sicily and Naples, they would both soon be irrecoverably lost.  It was, therefore, with extreme reluctance, that he proceeded on the present business; and having, next day, the 17th, been joined off Malta by the Alexander and Goliath, his force was now fifteen sail of two-decked English ships, and three Portuguese, with a fireship and cutter.

On the 20th, the Swallow Portuguese corvette brought dispatches of the 17th, from the Earl of St. Vincent; acquainting Lord Nelson of the near approach of the squadron under Sir Alan Gardiner, and that Lord Keith was going in search of the French fleet.  Having now, therefore, no hope of any sufficient reinforcement to enable him to do the same, his lordship determined once more to offer himself for the service of Naples, which he seems to have imagined the French intended to visit; and, indeed, information to that effect had repeatedly arrived, by different ships, as well British as foreign.  Accordingly, having parted for Palermo, he arrived off that port on the 21st; but, the ship being becalmed, he was under the necessity of proceeding some leagues in his barge.  Having reached Palermo early in the morning of this day, he waited on Sir William Hamilton; and requested that, the instant they had breakfasted, the carriage might be ready to take himself, with Sir William and Lady Hamilton, to the king and queen.  Nothing could possibly have been more opportune than this unpremeditated visit; for his lordship now learned, that General Acton had actually written to him, by the desire of their majesties, though he had not yet received the letter most earnestly intreating his return, for the purpose of going into the Bay of Naples, and there completing the business which had been so auspiciously commenced under his judicious arrangements.  Such, indeed, was the then critical state of affairs at Naples, that it required both the ablest heads, and