orders from his lordship, or Captain Louis’s consent for leaving it.  In a letter of this day, to the Earl of St. Vincent, his lordship says—­“Minotaur is gone to Leghorn, to endeavour to do good; and Louis will act, I am sure, for the best, as circumstances arise.”  This very letter, sent by Captain Hope, he thus concludes—­“I must refer you, my dear lord, to Hope, who is very zealous and active.”  So warmly affectionate was the heart of this great and good man to all his worthy officers; and, indeed, to every deserving person under his authority.

On this day, Lord Nelson wrote no less than five public letters:  that already noticed, to the Earl of St. Vincent; another, to Earl Spencer; two to Constantinople, one of them for Spencer Smith, Esq. and the other for Francis Wherry, Esq. a fourth to Commodore Duckworth; and the fifth, to the Honourable Lieutenant-General Stuart.

Besides what has been extracted from the letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, it contains the following intelligence relative to the then state of Naples—­“On the 4th, the French were not at Naples; but were only sixteen miles distant, negociating with the nobles of Naples, for the exclusion of the king.  The French long to give them the fraternal squeeze.  Another party is for making the Duke of Parma’s son, married to the king of Spain’s daughter, now at Madrid, king under French protection.  The lower class are the only loyal people; and they, we know, may any moment take a wrong turn.  Mack is at Capua; but, it was determined, should retreat towards Salerno.  On the 3d, at night, the French attempted to force the lines of Capua.  They did not succeed.  What occasioned their retreat, is difficult to guess; although the Neapolitan army is twenty-five thousand, and the French not eight thousand. Is not this a dream!  Can it be real?”

The letter to Earl Spencer is as follows.

     “Palermo, Jan. 7, 1799.

     “My dear lord

“Our news from Naples has been daily from bad to worse.  On the 4th, the enemy was not at Naples.  There are parties, in the capital, for a republic; and another for making the Duke of Parma, who is at Madrid, king:  but, I believe, the fighting party is very small.  The events which have taken place in the kingdom of Naples have been so rapid and extraordinary, that it appears a dream.  The king, God bless him, is a philosopher; but the great queen feels sensibly all that has happened.  She begs me not to quit Palermo; for that Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and myself, are her only comforts.  I shall, as is my duty, do every thing in the best manner I am able, for the honour of our country.  General Stuart, from Minorca, calls for me; Mr. Windham, from Florence, does the same; and the affairs of Egypt and Malta are endeavouring to be brought to an issue.  Captain Ball has done wonders; and, I trust, will soon succeed.  The bombs, from Malta, go to Egypt, and are to make a vigorous attack on the shipping at Alexandria.  These two points successful, will set us quite at our ease on the sea.  With every sentiment of respect, believe me, your lordship’s most faithful servant,

     “Nelson.”