preceding day, for Sir William Sidney Smith, captain of his majesty's
ship Le Tigre, to put himself under Lord Nelson's command may certainly
be considered as sufficiently severe; and, it is probable, his lordship
was of that opinion: but he judged it necessary, for his own comfort
thus plainly to deliver his sentiments, however painful the task, that
he might escape any repetitions of what must continue to excite
unpleasant feelings.

On this day, too, Lord Nelson wrote to Captain Ball, from whom he had
received letters which gave hopes of a speedy termination to his long
and arduous labours. The deputies lately arrived from Malta had
solicited supplies of arms, ammunition, and money, from his Sicilian
Majesty; and their application, it will appear, had not proved in vain.
Money, cloathing, &c. Lord Nelson informs Captain Ball, are difficult to
be got; however, some will be sent. "You will," he adds, "receive seven
thousand ounces, which the king confides in you to dispose of to the
best advantage. Whenever the French are driven out, you are certainly
fitted for the station of chief, and I should suppose his Sicilian
Majesty could have no objection to give you the proper appointments. You
are sure, I shall do every thing that is in my power, for your honour
and benefit. Having said this, I will finish, for I am tired to death
with writing." His lordship, however, does not conclude without
observing that he trusts to nothing but his blockade for the reduction
of Malta; that there is yet no news of the emperor's movements, but move
he must; that all the lower order of the kingdom of Naples are ready to
take arms against the French; that ten thousand Albanese are near
Messina; and that ten thousand Russians are on that side Constantinople,
for the same destination, besides the Russian army passing the Tyrol.
"Apropos," he at length concludes, "the Emperor of Russia has sent me
his picture, in a magnificent box; but, this shall not prevent my