MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,
Accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter. Nobody writes so well: therefore, pray, say not you write ill; for, if you do, I will say—what your goodness sometimes told me—"You l—e!" I can read, and perfectly understand, every word you write.
We drank your and Sir William's health. Troubridge, Louis, Hallowell, and the new Portuguese Captain, dined here. I shall soon be at Palermo; for this business must very soon be settled.
No one, believe me, is more sensible of your regard, than your obliged and grateful
NELSON.
I am pleased with little Mary; kiss her for me. I thank all the house for their regard. God bless you all!
I shall send on shore, if fine, to-morrow; for the feluccas are going to leave us, and I am sea-sick.
I have got the piece of wood for the tea-chest; it shall soon be sent.
Pray, present my humble duty and gratitude to the Queen, for all her marks of regard; and assure her, it is not thrown away on an ungrateful soil.