SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL
TO
LADY HAMILTON.
Letters OF SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, &c.
I.
My Dear Madam,
I cannot help loving and esteeming you very much, although you have proved such a false gipsey to me. Pray, do you recollect looking into my hand, and telling me a pretty story of carrying home Sir William and Lady Hamilton, &c. &c. However, I forgive you; as you did not take money, and could only have in view giving me much pleasure.
I beg leave to introduce to your Ladyship's notice the Abbé Savoye; who is a sensible man, and the most polished here. He has great influence with the Maltese. Pray, request Sir William to introduce him particularly to Le Chevalier Acton.
I shall have the pleasure of seeing you and Sir William Hamilton in England, this summer. How very much I wished to be near you, when you were reading the parliamentary effusions of gratitude and joy for the services Lord Nelson has rendered his country! I would rather be Lord Nelson, than any Duke—or, indeed, any man—in England; and you may guess how very proud I am in having such a friend. Indeed, I feel, that I owe more to him than any man in this world. I have written to Sir William; God bless you both!
I remain, with sincere respect and esteem, my dear Madam, your
Ladyship's most devoted and obliged humble servant,