Nelson's Lady Hamilton by Esther Meynell Page B

of both sexes, by all the foreigners of every distinction. I have been presented to the Queen of Naples by her own desire. She as shown me all sorts of kind and affectionate attentions. In short, I am the happiest woman in the world. Sir William is fonder of me every day, and I hope he will have no corse to repent of what he as done; for I feel so gratefull to him, that I think I shall never be able to make him amends for his goodness to me. But why do I tell you this ? You know me enough. You was the first dear friend I opend my heart to. You ought to know me, for you have seen and discoursed with me in my poorer days. . . . How

    gratefull then do I feel to my dear, dear husband, that as restored peace to my mind, that as given me honors, rank, and what is more, innocence and happiness. Rejoice with me, my dear sir, my friend, my more than father. Believe me, I am still that same Emma you knew me. If I could forget for a moment what I was, I ought to suffer. Command me in anything I can do for you here; believe me, I shall have a real pleasure. Come to Naples, and I will be your model:—anything to induce you to come, that I may have an oppertunity to shew you my gratitude to you. Take care of your health for all our sakes. How does the pictures go on ? Has the Prince been to you ? Write to me. I am interested in all that concerns you. God bless you, my dear Friend. I spoke to Lady Souther-land about you ; she loves you dearly. Give my love to Mr. Hayley. Tell him I shall be glad to see him at Naples.
    " As you was so good to say you would give me the little picture with the black hat, I wish you would . . . give it to Mr. Duten. I have a great regard for him. He took a deal of pains and trouble for me ; and I could not do him a greater favour than to give him my picture. Do, my dear friend, do me that pleasure; and, if their is anything from Naples, command me.
    " We have a many English at Naples as Ladys Malmsbury, Maiden, Plymouth, Carneigee,

    92 NELSON'S LADY HAMILTON
    Wright, etc. They are very kind and attentive to me. They all make it a point to be remarkably cevil to me. You will be happy at this, as you know what prudes our Ladys are. Tell Hayly I am allways reading his 'Triumphs of Temper;' it was that made me Lady H., for God knows I had for 5 years enough to try my temper, and I am affraid if it had not been for the good example Serena taught me, my girdle wou'd have burst, and if it had I had been undone; for Sir W. minds more temper than beauty. He therefore wishes Mr. Hayley wou'd come, that he might thank him for his sweet-tempered wife, I swear to you, I have never been out of humour since the 6th of last September. God bless you. Yours. E. HAMILTON"
    Romney replied to this warm and affectionate epistle, telling her how he rejoiced in her happiness, and praying, " May God grant it may remain so to the end of your days." And with that fatherly wish—which greater causes than either he or Emma foresaw were destined to bring to nought — Romney passes out of the story of Emma Hamilton.
    Emma's marriage, which was destined to have such important consequences, has been somewhat hurried over, and it is necessary to go back a step and give some further details. In
    *>,. X.
    1

    LADY HAMILTON AS EMMA
    FROM A DRAWING BY SIR T. LAWRENCE

    the month before her marriage Emma and Sir William Hamilton spent some time in visiting at country houses, glad to get out of town during an unusually hot August. Among other places, they went to Fonthill Abbey, where Emma's somewhat exuberant taste was delighted by the bizarre glories of " Vathek" Beckford's palatial residence. Nearly ten years later she and Sir William were to vist Fonthill again, having Nelson with them.
    Emma was destined to play many parts, but she only played that of a bride on one occasion. Her wedding-day was the 6th of September, 1791, and she was married at Marylebone Church, in the presence of Lord Abercorn and the Mr. Dutens to whom she refers in her