[May 12, 1799.]
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.