clothes as might be necessary for the very large party to embark, to the amount, I am confident, of full two millions five hundred thousand pounds sterling. On the 18th, General Mack wrote that he had no prospect of stopping the progress of the French, and entreated their Majesties to think of retiring from Naples with their august Family as expeditiously as possible. All the Neapolitan Navy were now taken out of the Mole, consisting of three Sail of the Line and three Frigates: the seamen from the two Sail of the Line in the Bay left their Ships and went on shore: a party of English seamen with Officers were sent from the Vanguard to assist in navigating them to a place of safety. From the 18th, various plans were formed for the removal of the Royal Family from the palace to the water-side; on the 19th, I received a note from General Acton, saying, that the King approved of my plan for their embarkation; this day, the 20th and 21st, very large assemblies of people were in commotion, and several people were killed, and one dragged by the legs to the palace. The mob by the 20th were very unruly, and insisted the Royal Family should not leave Naples; however, they were pacified by the King and Queen speaking to them.

Lady Hamilton," says Southey, "arranged everything for the removal of the Royal Family. This was conducted on her part with the greatest address, and without suspicion, because she had been in habits of constant correspondence with the Queen. It was known that the removal could not be effected without danger; for the mob, and especially the Lazzaroni, were attached to the King; and as at this time, they felt a natural presumption in their own numbers and strength, they insisted that he should not leave Naples. Several persons fell victims to their fury; among others was a Messenger from Vienna, whose body was dragged under the windows of the palace in the King's sight. The King and Queen spoke to the mob, and pacified them; but it would not have been safe, while they were in this agitated state, to have embarked the effects of the Royal Family openly. Lady Hamilton, like a heroine of modern romance, explored, with no little danger, a subterraneous passage leading from the palace to the sea-side: through this passage the royal treasures, the choicest pieces of painting and sculpture, and other property, to the amount of two millions and a-half, were conveyed to the shore, and stowed safely on board the English ships. On the night of the 21st, at half past eight, Nelson landed, brought out the whole Royal Family, embarked them in three barges, and carried them safely, through a tremendous sea, to the Vanguard. Notice was then immediately given to the British merchants, that they would be received on board any ship in the squadron. Their property had previously been embarked in transports. Two days were passed in the Bay, for the purpose of taking such persons on board as required an asylum; and on the night of the 23rd, the fleet sailed."

On the 21st, at half-past 8 P. M. three Barges with myself and Captain Hope, landed at a corner of the Arsenal. I went into the palace and brought out the whole Royal Family, put them into the Boats, and at half-past nine they were all safely on board the Vanguard, when I gave immediate notice to all British Merchants that their persons would be received on board every and any Ship in the Squadron, their effects of value being before embarked in the three English transports who were partly unloaded, and I had directed that all the condemned provisions should be thrown overboard, in order to make room for their effects. Sir William Hamilton had also directed two Vessels to be hired for the accommodation of the French emigrants, and provisions were supplied from our Victuallers; in short, everything had been done for the comfort of all persons embarked.

I did not forget in these important moments that it was my duty not to leave the chance of any Ships of War falling into the hands of the French, therefore, every preparation was made for burning them before I sailed; but the reasons given me by their Sicilian Majesties, induced me not to burn them till the last moment. I, therefore, directed the Marquis de Niza to remove all the Neapolitan Ships outside the Squadron under his command, and if it was possible, to equip some of them with jury masts and send them to Messina; and whenever the French advanced near Naples, or the people revolted against their legitimate Government, immediately to destroy the Ships of War, and to join me at Palermo, leaving one or two Ships to cruize between Capri and Ischia in order to prevent the entrance of any English Ship into the Bay of Naples. On the 23rd, at 7 P. M., the Vanguard, Sannite, and Archimedes, with about twenty sail of Vessels left the Bay of Naples; the next day it blew harder than I ever experienced since I have been at sea. Your Lordship will believe that my anxiety was not lessened by the great charge that was with me, but not a word of uneasiness escaped the lips of any of the Royal Family. On the 25th, at 9 A.M., Prince Albert, their Majesties' youngest child, having cat a hearty breakfast, was taken ill, and at 7 P.M. died in the arms of Lady Hamilton; and here it is my duty to tell your Lordship the obligations which the whole Royal Family as well as myself are

under on this trying occasion to her Ladyship. They necessarily came on board without a bed, nor could the least preparation be made for their reception. Lady Hamilton provided her own beds, linen, &c., and became their slave, for except one man, no person belonging to Royalty assisted the Royal Family, nor did her Ladyship enter a bed the whole. time they were on board. Good Sir William also made

every sacrifice for the comfort of the august Family embarked with him. I must not omit to state the kindness of Captain Hardy and every Officer in the Vanguard, all of whom readily gave their beds for the convenience of the numerous persons attending the Royal Family.

At 3 P.M., being in sight of Palermo, his Sicilian Majesty's Royal Standard was hoisted at the main-top gallant-mast head of the Vanguard, which was kept flying there till his Majesty got into the Vanguard's barge, when it was struck in the Ship and hoisted in the Barge, and every proper honour paid to it from the Ship. As soon as his Majesty set his foot on shore, it was struck from the Barge. The Vanguard anchored at 2 A. M. of the 26th; at 5, I attended her Majesty and all the Princesses on shore; her Majesty being so much affected by the death of Prince Albert that she could not bear to go on shore in a public manner. At 9 A. M., his Majesty went on shore, and was received with the loudest acclamations and apparent joy. I have the honour to be, &c.

NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B.

[Letter-Book.]

My Lord,

Palermo, 30th December, 1798.

The great anxiety I have undergone during the whole time I have been honoured with this important command, has much impaired a weak constitution. And now, finding that much abler Officers are arrived within the district which I had thought under my command, having arranged a plan of ope

Alluding to the appointment of Captain Sir Sidney Smith in Le Tigre, of 80 guns, in the Levant, which, as will appear from subsequent Letters, gave great offence both to the Earl of St. Vincent and to Lord Nelson, as it seemed to

rations with the Embassy with which I have been honoured by the Grand Signior, having opened an unreserved correspondence with the Turkish and Russian Admiral, and, I flatter myself, having made the British Nation and our gracious Sovereign more beloved and respected than heretofore; under these circumstances I entreat, that if my health and uneasiness of mind should not be mended, that I may have your Lordship's permission to leave this command to my gallant

interfere with their authority, and because he was to supersede Captain Hood and the other Captains who were at the Nile, with whose feelings, and the feelings and interests of his other companions in arms, Nelson always identified himself. Nothing, however, could be more noble than Nelson's admiration of Sir Sidney Smith's subsequent actions, or more generous than his expressions of esteem and regard for him.

In a private and confidential Letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, dated on the 9th of October, 1798, Earl Spencer thus announced Sir Sidney Smith's appointment and the views of the Government:—

"The general view of the state of affairs in the Mediterranean, which was transmitted to you before the details of this Action arrived here, is in no respect altered by that event, as far as relates to its principle; and fortunately only rendered more easy of execution as to its detail. One great feature of this state of things is the emotion and sensation which has been excited in Turkey, and the vigorous declarations, at least, which have been drawn from the Porte. Of these, it appears to his Majesty's Ministers most urgent to make the most, and with a reference to the former habits of acquaintance which a residence at Constantinople has given him, as well as his near connexion with our Minister there, it has been judged expedient to send out Sir Sidney Smith, who will very shortly wait upon your Lordship to put himself under your orders, and will communicate to you the instructions of which he is the bearer. His speedy arrival at the Dardanelles with these instructions you will immediately perceive to be of great consequence; and his Ship having lately undergone a very thorough repair, will relieve any of those which may be in the Levant, in a state to render their stay in those seas less advisable. I am well aware that there may perhaps be some prejudices, derived from certain circumstances which have attended this Officer's career through life, but from a long acquaintance with him personally, I think I can venture to assure your Lordship, that added to his unquestioned character for courage and enterprise, he has a great many very good points about him, which those who are less acquainted with him are not sufficiently apprised of, and I have no doubt that you will find him a very useful instrument to be employed on any hazardous or difficult service, and that he will be perfectly under your guidance, as he ought to be. Should the arrangement of the force to remain for the present in the Levant, to co-operate with the Turks, lead to there being only one or two Ships of two decks on that service, it may be most advisable that from the local and personal acquaintance Sir Sidney is possessed of with the Turkish Officers, he should be the senior Officer; but I have given him to understand, that if a large force should be thought necessary, his standing on the List will not admit of it, there being so many Captains of distinguished merit who are his seniors."-Copy, in the Nelson Papers.

and most excellent second in command, Captain Troubridge, or some other of my brave friends who so gloriously fought at the Battle of the Nile.

Captain Ball has the important command of the blockade of Malta, and is as eminently conspicuous for his conciliating manners as he is for his judgment and gallantry. I shall not, if I can help it, quit this command till I receive your approbation; for I am, with every respect, your Lordship's most faithful servant, NELSON.

TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B.

[Letter-Book.]

My dear Lord,

Palermo, 31st December, 1798.

I do feel, for I am a man, that it is impossible for me to serve in these seas, with the Squadron under a junior Officer:-could I have thought it!-and from Earl Spencer! Never, never was I so astonished as your letter made me. As soon as I can get hold of Troubridge, I shall send him to Egypt, to endeavour to destroy the Ships in Alexandria. If it can be done, Troubridge will do it. The Swedish Knight' writes Sir William Hamilton, that he shall go to Egypt, and take Captain Hood and his Squadron under his command. The Knight forgets the respect due to his superior Officer: he has no orders from you to take my Ships away from my command; but it is all of a piece. Is it to be borne? Pray grant me your permission to retire, and I hope the Vanguard will be allowed to convey me and my friends, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, to England. God bless you, my dear Lord, and believe me your most affectionate friend, NELSON.8

"Sir Sidney Smith, was a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword of Sweden.

In reply to this Letter, Lord St. Vincent wrote to him on the 17th of January, 1799, "I am not surprised at your feelings being outraged, at the bold attempt Sir Sidney Smith is making to wrest a part of your Squadron from you. I have received much the same letter from him, as the one you describe to have been addressed to Sir William Hamilton; a copy of which, with my answer, you have enclosed, and orders for you to take him immediately under your command. I have informed Lord Spencer of all these proceedings, and sent him copies of the letters: