However, neither this nor any other pleasing employ, amidst his
lordship's numerous indispensible avocations, could hastily reconcile
him to the unpleasant circumstance of not being left to finish the
business which he had so nobly commenced, and so nearly closed. Even the
soothings of his amiable and illustrious friends were ineffectual; and,
on the next day, the first of the year 1799, he wrote to Earl Spencer
for permission to return to England. This fact will appear in the
following letter; though, happily, by the timely and judicious
interference of the Earl of St. Vincent, added to the earnest and united
requests of the King and Queen of Naples, and Sir William and Lady
Hamilton, he was induced finally to continue a command which the royal
sufferers felt so necessary for their protection.

"Palermo,
1st Jan. 1799.


"MY DEAR LORD,

"I have transmitted to Mr. Nepean, by way of Vienna, a duplicate of
my letter to the commander in chief: which, of course, will
likewise be sent you from him; and it will inform you of all which
has passed, from the determination of leaving Naples to our arrival
at Palermo.

"The day after I left Naples, I received a letter from Sir Sidney
Smith, with several inclosures. I send you my answer. Every thing
which the extracts sent me by Sir Sidney Smith point out to him,
has been fully talked over, and fully explained, by Kelim Effendi;