II.
My Dear Madam,
I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship and Sir William, by the Vanguard; since which, I have read the few lines you had the goodness to address to me at the bottom of Lord Nelson's letter of the 9th inst.
I cannot entertain any hopes of personally paying my respects to you and Sir William, before your departure for England; but, be assured, that I can never forget the very flattering attention you have both been pleased to honour me with.
You must wait a month longer, for the warm weather; otherwise, the transition may be too great for Sir William.
We are anxiously waiting for the Maltese deputies to return from Palermo. The inhabitants are critically situated; but, I hope, all will end well. Good news from you will determine it.
I find, that you fascinate all the navy as much at Palermo as you did at Naples. If we had many such advocates, every body would be a candidate for our profession.
God bless, and protect, you and Sir William. May prosperous gales attend you! May you live a thousand years!
Believe me, with sincere respect and esteem, my dear Madam, your
Ladyship's most devoted and obliged servant,
ALEXANDER JOHN BALL.
23d February 1799.
Letters
FROM THE
EARL OF BRISTOL,
Bishop of Derry, in Ireland,
TO
LADY HAMILTON.
Letters OF THE EARL OF BRISTOL, Bishop of Derry, &c.