Vanguard, May 19, 1799,
Eight o’Clock. Calm.
MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,
Lieutenant Swiney coming on board,
enables me to send some blank passports for vessels
going to Procida with corn, &c. and also one for the
courier boat.
To tell you, how dreary and uncomfortable
the Vanguard appears, is only telling you, what it
is to go from the pleasantest society to a solitary
cell; or, from the dearest friends, to no friends.
I am now perfectly the great man not
a creature near me. From my heart, I wish myself
the little man again!
You, and good Sir William, have spoiled
me for any place but with you. I love Mrs. Cadogan.
You cannot conceive what I feel, when I call you all
to my remembrance. Even to Mira, do not forget
your faithful and affectionate
NELSON.