Sir,--The following letters may be found interesting as illustrative
of the private history of Lord Nelson, to which public attention has
been strongly drawn of late by the able work of Mr. Pettigrew. The
letters were addressed by Earl Nelson to the Rev. A.J. Scott, the
friend and chaplain of the fallen hero.

18, Charles Street, Berkeley Square,

Dec. 2. 1805.

Dear Sir,--I am this day favoured with your obliging letter of
October 27.[3] The afflicting intelligence you designed to prepare
me for had arrived much sooner; but I am duly sensible of the kind
motive which inducted this mark of your attention and remembrance.

The King has been pleased to command that his great and gallant
servant shall be buried with funeral honours suitable to the
splendid services he rendered to his country, and that the body
shall be conveyed by water to Greenwich, in order to be laid in
state. For myself I need not say how anxious I am to pay every
tribute of affection and of respect to my honoured and lamented
brother's remains. And it affords me great satisfaction to learn
your intention of accompanying them till deposited in their last
earthly mansion. The coffin made of the L'Orient's mast will be
sent to Greenwich to await the arrival of the body, and I hope
there to have an opportunity of making my acknowledgments in
person.

Believe me, dear Sir,