the scanty recognition of his unwearied efforts,—­of whose value he himself was by no means forgetful,—­though not unusual in the experience of officers, are quite sufficient to account for the sense of neglect and unjust treatment by which he was then outraged.  This feeling was probably accentuated, also, by a renewal of the legal persecution which had been begun in the West Indies; for towards the end of the year he received formal notice of suits being instituted against him for the seizure of the American vessels, and it is likely enough that some intimation of what was coming reached him before leaving the “Boreas.”  Scanty thanks, liberal blame, and the prospect of an expensive lawsuit based upon his official action, constituted, for a poor man lately married, causes of disturbance which might well have upset his equanimity.

Lord Howe, who was then at the head of the Admiralty, though formal and unbending in outward bearing, was a just and kind man, and one fully appreciative of professional worth.  A mutual friend acquainted him with Nelson’s irritation, and Howe wrote a private letter asking that he would call upon him as soon as he came to town.  Though quick to resent, Nelson was easily soothed by attention and pleased by compliment, even when it rose to flattery,—­which Howe’s was not likely to do.  A short interview gave the First Lord a clearer idea than he before had of the extent, value, and wholly voluntary character of the services rendered by the young captain in the West Indies; and he indicated the completeness of his satisfaction by offering to present him to the King, which was accordingly done at the next levee.  George III. received him graciously; and the resentment of Nelson, whose loyalty was of the most extreme type, melted away in the sunshine of royal favor.

Thus reconciled to the service, and convinced, as in his less morbid moods he often said, that gratitude and honor, though long deferred, were sure to follow upon steadfast performance of duty, he speedily renewed his efforts to bring to light the frauds practised in the colonies.  His letters on the subject to Mr. Pitt, the Prime Minister, had been turned over to the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. George Rose, and upon the latter Nelson now called.  Rose received him at first with that courteous nonchalance which is the defensive armor of the beset official,—­the name of his visitor, and the business with which it was connected, had for the moment slipped his mind.  Nelson’s mastery of his subject, however, and his warmth in it, soon roused the attention of his hearer, who, being then pressed for time, asked to see him again the next day, stipulating only that the interview should be early, before office hours.  “It cannot be too early for me,” replied Nelson, whose habit, in his career as admiral, was to get through his correspondence before eight o’clock,—­“six o’clock, if you please.”