LETTER XLIII.
Victory, off Toulon,
April 10th, 1804.
MY DEAREST EMMA,
I have received all your truly kind and affectionate letters, to January 25th, by the Thisbe; and, last night, your letter of January 13th, by Naples.
The amorins will go under the care of Captain Layman; who, unfortunately, lost his sloop: but, with much credit to himself, he has been acquitted of all blame.
I rejoice that dear Horatia is got well; and, also, that you, my dearest Emma, are recovered of your severe indisposition.
In our present situation with Spain, this letter, probably, may never reach you. I have wrote fully; and intend to send them by the Argus, who I expect to join every minute.
Elphi Bey, I hear, has had all his fine things taken from him. He escaped into the Desert, and is pursued; probably, his head is off, long before this time.
The French fleet came out on the 5th, but went in again the next morning.
Yesterday, a Rear-Admiral, and seven sail of ships, including frigates, put their nose outside the harbour. If they go on playing this game, some day we shall lay salt upon their tails; and so end the campaign of, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and affectionate
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I am glad to hear that you are going to take my dear Horatia, to educate her. She must turn out an angel, if she minds what you say to her; and Eliza and Ann will never forget your goodness.
My health is so, so! I shall get through the summer; and, in the winter, shall go home.
You will readily fancy all I would say, and do think.
My kind love to all friends.