I have the Honor to be my Lord,
Your most obedient servant,
Horatio Nelson.
A.L.S. OF LORD NELSON TO EARL SPENCER, WRITTEN WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, THESEUS, MAY 28, 1798.
A.L.S. OF NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON ABOUT HIS WIFE, WRITTEN WITH HIS LEFT HAND, JANUARY 24, 1801.
Two months later occurred the accident which deprived Nelson of his right hand. The Bath facsimile[56] is a good specimen of his writing with his left hand in the last years of the eighteenth century. In reading any life of Nelson one cannot help being struck with the tenderness of the letters he addressed to his wife up to their abrupt separation. At the end of 1799, while he was still in the Mediterranean, she wrote him the following letter, now in my collection:—
St James's St
Dec 10 1797
My dear Husband,—I have seen a letter from Lady Berry to Mr. Davison. She tells him of Sir Edward's letter, dated Foudroyant, Minorca, Octr 18th, and mentions you were quite well which I hope is true. I dined a few days back at Mr Nepean's. He told me you were at Gibralter (sic). I thanked him for his intelligence. Would have given something to have asked a question, but that could not be done—therefore I still flatter myself as you are half way we may stand some chance of seeing you. Captn Foley has this instant left me. From what Captn Hood said I was in great hopes Captn F had very lately seen you. He is full of the Earl's commanding the Channel Fleet. Lord Bridport has sailed again. Our good father received yesterday r. William teazing him about no dignitaries (sic) for the Nelson family. I must write to the Rector and beg him not to be so tiresome, for truly I am nursing and doing everything I can to make your father comfortable and then he is quite upset by one of these epistles Mr W. N. [William Nesbit] requested me to give Mr Windham a gentle hint. Sir Peter and Lady Parker called yesterday. We have agreed to go and see the famous French milliner. Lady P declares they will put me in a sack and send me to Bonaparte. Her spirits are good indeed. She sends Sir Peter to the Admiralty to hear when you are expected home. I don't know what she is not to do—Dance and grow young. We dined yesterday (Susanna I mean) with the Hamiltons. I wish I could say Mrs Hamilton is the least modernized of all the antique figures. She certainly (is) the most. Mr Morton pais (sic) great attention. Bob Jones tells me Forbes has got Mr M to sign some papers for him. I long to hear what you have done for Captain Hardy. His character is excellent indeed.