After visiting Lord Cawdor, at Stackpoole Court; Lord Milford, at Picton Castle; Lord Kensington; Mr. Foley, brother of Captain Foley; and other noblemen and gentlemen in that part of the country, by all of whom they were sumptuously entertained; the party set out on their return from this highly satisfactory tour. At Haverfordwest, on going to visit Mr. Foley, the horses had been taken from Lord Nelson's carriage, and he was drawn through the streets by the populace; preceded by the Pembrokeshire militia, a troop of the Haverfordwest cavalry, and the flags of the different companies and societies, &c. While they were at Mr. Foley's, the mayor and corporation waited on his lordship, and presented him with the freedom of that ancient town. At Swansea, too, where he minutely examined the pier, pottery, and other places, while on a visit to Glasmont, the seat of John Morris, Esq. the carriage had been drawn through the town by a choice body of exulting tars; and, after being regaled with his friends, by the portreeve, his lordship, and Sir William Hamilton, were both presented with the freedom of Swansea.
On Wednesday evening, the 18th of August, after passing the day with Mr. Wells, owner of the celebrated Piersfield estate, the returning party arrived at the Beaufort Arms, Monmouth; Lord Nelson, on his way to Milford, having promised the mayor and corporation that he would again visit them. Next morning, amidst the ringing of bells, and preceded by a band of music, they set out, in a carriage with four horses, for the famous Kymin Pavillion; where they were not only received with enthusiasm by the company, but saluted by a discharge of cannon; the militia band playing—"God save the King!"—"Rule, Britannia!" &c. After taking breakfast in the banqueting-room, they proceeded to the Naval Temple, which his lordship surveyed with great attention. They then walked through the Beaulieu Grove: and, when they had sufficiently surveyed this delightful scene, in order to gratify the public curiosity, they walked back to Monmouth; receiving, as they passed, the grateful applauses of all ranks of people. At four o'clock, they sat down to an elegant dinner, at the Beaufort Arms, with the mayor, corporation, and most of the principal inhabitants. On the health of—"The Hero of the Nile!" being drank, his lordship arose; and, in an admirable speech, expressed his gratitude for their kind attentions. Lady Hamilton sung two songs, with her usual scientific taste, and superior vocal excellence, which quite enraptured the whole company. "Words, indeed," says a writer in one of the provincial journals, on this occasion, would "but ill convey an idea of the life and spirit which this deservedly admired lady gave to the festive board! In short, the polite and engaging behaviour of Lord Nelson, as well as of Sir William and Lady Hamilton, impressed on the minds of the visitors the most unqualified respect and admiration of their characters." The meeting broke up at eight o'clock; his lordship and friends being engaged to pass the evening at the Honourable Colonel Lindsay's.
On Friday, after walking in the town, viewing the public buildings, &c. they set out for Ross; where a triumphal arch, ornamented with laurel and oak, and bearing an appropriate inscription, had been erected for the hero to pass through. From hence, they paid a visit to Rudhall, the seat of Thomas Westfaling, Esq. where, in the evening, there was a splendid ball and supper, to which all the principal families, for some miles round, were invited. A deputation from the mayor and corporation of Hereford, having waited on Lord Nelson, at Rudhall, requesting he would honour that city with his presence, his lordship obligingly consented; and, on Monday morning, proceeded thither. Being met by the populace, near the city, about twelve o'clock, they took the horses from his carriage, and drew the hero and his friends to the hotel; where they were received by his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Recorder of Hereford. Shortly after, they proceeded to the town-hall; the militia band playing—"See, the conquering Hero comes!" Being introduced, by the Duke of Norfolk, to the corporation, who were waiting to receive his lordship, he was immediately addressed, by Lacon Lambe, Esq. town-clerk, in an appropriate speech, complimentary of the hero's splendid achievements during the war; and soliciting his acceptance of the freedom of the city, presented in a box cut from the apple-tree—"the pride of the country; and of whose noble juice," concluded Mr. Lambe, "many libations will not fail to be offered to the long health, prosperity, and happiness, of the great and glorious conqueror of the Nile!" Lord Nelson, respectfully putting the box to his lips, returned his sincere thanks, for an honour which, he said, he should never forget—that of having his name enrolled among the freemen of Hereford. It was true, he had stood forward in the defence of his king and country, in many engagements: yet the honour and renown, for the brilliant victories which the fleets under him had obtained, were not attributable to himself, but must be ascribed, first, to the Deity; and, next, to the undaunted courage, skill, and discipline, of those officers and seamen whom it had been his good fortune to command—not one of whom, he was proud to say, had ever in the least swerved from his duty. "Should this nation," concluded his lordship, "ever experience a state similar to that from which it has been recently extricated, I have not the slightest doubt, from the result of my observations during this tour, that the native, the inbred spirit of Britons, whilst it continues as firmly united as at present, is fully adequate successfully to repel any attack, either foreign or domestic, which our enemies may dare to make. You have but to say, to your fleets and armies—Go ye forth, and fight our battles; whilst we, true to ourselves, protect and support your wives and little ones at home." The impression made by this speech is inconceivable. The Reverend Mr. Morgan, canon-residentiary, also addressed his lordship, on the part of the bishop and clergy of the diocese; and, being charged, by the venerable bishop, to express his regret at being deprived, by extreme age and infirmity, of the honour of paying his personal respects to Lord Nelson in the town-hall, his lordship immediately replied that, as the son of a clergyman, and from having been bred up in a sense of the highest veneration for the church and it's able ministers, while he sincerely lamented the cause of absence, he conceived it a duty, which he would perform with the utmost willingness, to wait on his lordship at the episcopal palace. This, on returning from the hall, he accordingly did; and, soon after, the party proceeded to Downton Castle, near Ludlow, the seat of Richard Payne Knight, Esq.
On approaching near Ludlow, the populace took the horses from his lordship's carriage, and drew it into the town; and, at his departure, drew him out of town, in the same manner, on the road to Downton Castle.
After passing a few days with Mr. Knight, at his beautiful seat, and receiving the honorary freedom of the ancient borough of Ludlow, his lordship, on Sunday evening, the 29th of August, while on the road to Worcester, was met by a prodigious concourse of people, who hailed his approach with heart-felt acclamations; and, taking the horses from his carriage, drew it to the Hop-Pole Inn. The hero was greeted, as he entered the city, by lively peals from the different church bells, and many discharges of cannon; and joyfully saluted by innumerable spectators, in the streets, at the windows, and on the tops of houses, where they crouded to see him pass. In the course of the evening, his lordship frequently appeared at a window; and courteously bowed to the exulting crowd, with the most grateful condescension. Next morning, the illustrious guest, and his friends, preceded by a band of music, visited the famous Worcester china manufactory of Messrs. Chamberlains; and they demonstrated their approbation of it's beauty, by making considerable purchases. His lordship, in particular, left a large order for china, to be decorated in the most splendid stile, with his arms, insignia, &c. On returning to the inn, Lord Nelson was attended by the city officers, in all their formalities, for conducting his lordship and friends to the council-room in the town-hall; where the mayor and corporation were assembled, and had prepared an elegant collation. At the conclusion of this repast, the Right Honourable the Earl of Coventry, as Recorder of Worcester, on presenting his lordship with the freedom of that city, in an elegant china vase from Messrs. Chamberlains manufactory, thus addressed him—"My lord! As recorder of the ancient and loyal city of Worcester, an office of the most pleasing nature to myself, and honourable to your lordship, is now imposed upon me. I am requested, by that respectable and patriotic body which I have the honour to represent on this occasion, the corporation of this city, to solicit your lordship's acceptance, as a testimony of their high and grateful sense of your distinguished services, in defence of the people, liberty, and constitution, of this kingdom, and our most gracious sovereign, with the freedom of the city of Worcester." Lord Nelson, in a very masterly speech, complimented the corporate body, on the polite manner in which they had received him; and delicately expressed the pleasure which he felt from the sentiments entertained of him by the civil power of so ancient, so loyal, and so respectable a city, as that of Worcester. For loyalty, his lordship remarked, they had always stood in the foremost rank; and, to that patriotic spirit, he conceived, was to be ascribed the high estimation in which they held his public and personal services. He considered himself fortunate, that his exertions had been called forth in such perilous and disastrous times; as, he flattered himself, he had contributed to the protection of the best of constitutions, and the best of kings. At the same time, he was bound to acknowledge that, whatever honour might arise to himself, from his conduct in those trying scenes in which he had been engaged, he had certainly been supported by the most able, intrepid, and active officers, and by men of the most undaunted and enterprising courage. The merit ascribed to him, was more particularly due to the brave men who had been put under his orders; it was to them that the country was indebted, he only had the good fortune to command the heroes who had obtained those important successes. With such assistance, aided by that Providence who watches over righteous kings and states with paternal care, he did not hesitate to say, that this kingdom rested on a safe and solid basis; that nothing could shake it's foundation, but internal discord and divisions; that, as those whom he had now the honour of addressing, on to him so pleasing and flattering an occasion, had always, with such zeal and promptitude, expressed their attachment to their sovereign, they would, he hoped, persevere in that unanimity and order, which tend, as the best and most solid security, to the preservation of all kings and states. He had now, he said, the honour of being one of that body, as a public acknowledgment of the approbation with which they regarded his former services; and, should the exigence of the times, at any future period, call them again into action, the remembrance of that attention for which he had to thank them on the present occasion, would act as a stimulus to the exercise, if possible, of more ardent zeal and exertion, in the old and favourite cause, the defence of his king, and the protection of the constitution. His future conduct, his lordship concluded, would best evince his gratitude for the distinguished honours which had been conferred on him. The remainder of his life should be devoted to the service of his king and country; and, while he had a limb left, that limb should, if necessary, be cheerfully sacrificed in their defence.
After this noble and impressive speech, which was much and most deservedly admired, his lordship and friends quitted the hall, and went to see the cathedral; where they were received, and congratulated, by the Reverend Dr. Arthur Onslow, the dean, and clergy. Lord Nelson viewed the choir, monuments, &c. of this elegant structure, with evident marks of satisfaction; and expressed himself much flattered by the polite attentions which he had experienced at Worcester. Having received an express invitation from the High and Low Bailiffs of Birmingham, his lordship and friends, soon after one o'clock, departed for that celebrated place, in two post-coaches and four, with the drivers in bluejackets, and wearing ribbons of the same colour in their hats. Apprehensive of accidents, from the curiosity of so crouded a population as that of Birmingham, his lordship contrived to reach this town two hours sooner than expected. Accordingly, he was met with by but few people on the road; and arrived, without any tumult, at Styles's hotel. The intelligence, however, soon became general; the bells merrily rung; and a prodigious concourse of people assembled, all desirous of beholding the hero who had, they exclaimed, saved them and their little ones from destruction. His lordship kindly gratified them as much as possible, with a sight of his person, by repeatedly presenting himself at the window; and was as repeatedly greeted by the grateful and applausive shouts of the surrounding multitude, invoking Heaven's best blessings on the noble champion of his country. His lordship was immediately waited on, at the hotel, by James Woolley, Esq. the high bailiff; and Timothy Smith, Esq. the low bailiff: who politely thanked him, for the honour of accepting their invitation to "the toy-shop of Europe." His lordship, and friends, in the evening, went to the theatre, drawn by the shouting populace; and the house was so crouded, that many hundred persons were unable to obtain admission. On their entrance, "Rule, Britannia!" was played in full orchestra; and the whole audience, respectfully standing up, instantly testified, by their unanimously loud and long continued plaudits, the happiness which they experienced at thus seeing among them the renowned Hero of the Nile. On returning, at midnight, his lordship and friends were drawn back, by the people, through New Street, High Street, and Bull Street, to Styles's hotel, amidst a blaze of several hundred lighted torches. Next morning, his lordship and friends, accompanied by the high and low bailiffs, walked to view the manufactory of Mr. Clay, japanner in ordinary to his Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; the sword manufactory of Messrs. Woolley and Deakin; the button manufactory of Messrs. W. and R. Smith; the buckle and ring manufactory of Messrs. Simcox and Timmins; and the patent-sash manufactory of Messrs. Timmins and Jordan. They then went, drawn in their carriage by the populace, a prodigious multitude constantly attending, to Mr. Egerton's stained-glass manufactory, at Handsworth, where they were received by a party of beautiful young ladies, dressed in white, and who literally strewed the hero's ways with flowers. Here his lordship particularly admired a large window intended for Lady Masterman Sykes, and some works for Fonthill and Arundel. The party then proceeded to Mr. Boulton's matchless manufactory at Soho; and visited that ingenious gentleman, who was slowly recovering from a dangerous illness, in his bed-chamber. They then viewed the extensive coining apparatus; and were presented with several appropriate medals struck in their presence. On returning to the hotel, they found an elegant dinner, consisting of every delicacy the season could afford, provided by the high and low bailiffs: at which they were met by Heneage Legge, Esq. the high-sheriff; Dugdale Stratford Dugdale, Esq. one of the members for the county of Stafford; his lordship's esteemed friend Captain Digby, who had the honour of being selected to bring intelligence of his lordship's glorious victory off the Nile; with other naval and military officers, clergy, magistrates, &c. Lady Hamilton very condescendingly gratified the company with some charming songs. The bells rung most of the day: and, in the evening, his lordship and friends again visited the theatre; which was crouded with all the beauty and fashion of the neighbourhood, who gave them the most rapturous welcome. A respectable song, written for the occasion by Mr. Collins, was sung to the good old tune of "Hearts of Oak;" and his lordship and party were conveyed to and from the theatre, by the populace, in the same stile as they had been the preceding night. On Wednesday morning, again attended by the high and low bailiff, they proceeded, on foot, to inspect Mr. Radenhurst's whip manufactory, the extensive toy warehouse of Messrs. Richards, Mr. Phipson's pin manufactory, and Mr. Bissett's Museum. They concluded, by visiting the famous Blue-Coat Charity School, and were much pleased with the appearance of the children; they then returned to their hotel, and set out for Warwick, where they arrived the same evening.
The inhabitants of Warwick received his lordship and friends with every possible demonstration of joy. They were waited on by the mayor and corporation; and, after remaining till Friday morning, chiefly occupied in viewing Warwick Castle, the county-hall, churches, and other public buildings, went on to Coventry.
On arriving in the city of Coventry, where they were greeted with the usual public rejoicings, they were immediately attended by the mayor and corporation: and, after taking some refreshment, his lordship proceeded to pay his respects to Earl Spencer, at Althorpe Park, near Northampton; from whence, on Sunday, the 5th of September, the party returned to Merton.
This journey to Milford proved eminently beneficial to Lord Nelson. It had not only established his health; but exhilarated his feeling mind, and freed it from every depression. The affectionate sentiments of a grateful and virtuous people, spontaneously bursting from their hearts, communicated a glow to his heroic bosom, which inspired him with renovated vigour, and fortified him against all the lurking malignancy of mean envy and disappointed ambition.
When Lord Nelson came to town, from Merton, which he did almost daily during the sittings of parliament, Sir William Hamilton usually accompanied his noble friend for the transaction of his own private business, and they always returned together in the evening. These inseparable friends would visit no where without each other; and they often declared, that nothing but death should ever divide them. His lordship, fond of retirement, visited very few of his opulent neighbours: but there was scarcely a poor inhabitant of Merton, whose house he did not occasionally enter; where he would converse familiarly with the humble tenants, take the kindest notices of their little ones, and bountifully relieve their necessities. Among his select wealthy neighbours, the celebrated Abraham Goldsmid, Esq. of Morden, and his amiable family, ranked high in his lordship's estimation, as well as in that of Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and their reciprocal visits were frequent. A most liberal and unsolicited tender of pecuniary accommodation to Lord Nelson, by that worthy and disinterested gentleman, in the very origin of their acquaintance, bound his generous heart for ever to Mr. Goldsmid; whose mutually ardent amity, shining with undiminished lustre, still survives for all who were dear to his lordship.