The National Register.
London, England, 1813-02-21 00:00:00

EARL NELSON AND LADY 114 MILTON.

. 11It. EDITOR--In the book which Lady lIAmtt.ToN has
latch• published, I see she considers herself entitled to pub-
lic remuneration for her political services. She thinks the
claim she sets up supported by the codicil of the will of the
late Lord NELSON, which recommends her to the considera-
'Lion of his country.
Now, Sir, I am not disposed to enter into the question,
whether or not her services deserve remuneration, but taking
it for granted that they do, I wish to enquire, from whom
such remuneration ought to come ?—frotn the public or
from Lord NELSON?

The codicil she states to have been given to the present
Earl NELSON and further, that it was concealed by hiln
till the vote of ce. eoo,ooo. had passed the }Douse of Com-
mons. This he is said to have &Ate from an apprehension
that parliament, agreeably to the will of his brother, would
make some provision for Lady HAMILTO-N, to be deducted
from the sum granted to family, The prudence of the
Noble Earl must here be particularly odinii ed. " Prudence,"
GOL DsMIT II observes, " is too of, en the only virtue left us
at seventy-two." Ido not know that Eaol NELSON has yet
completed his seventy .second year, nor do I mean to say
that he founds his claim to the admiration of posterity on the
possession of prudence alone; but this much perhaps I may
be allowed to state, that of all his virtues, this is the only, one
of which I have frequently heard an envious world make
honourable :mention. His greatest eneinies will not refuse
him credit for this, and it is a sublime and gratifying spec-

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!axle to see a rercroidNoblernati, like Earl NEtsol4, apnt-
rently thoroughly satisfied the good things of this
while many of his fellow creatures are so unreasonable as to
a'pire to those of a better.
But if Earl NELSON really concealed the codicil of his
brother's will, till Parliament had made a provision for his
family, ought this new to be made the gums of taking fresh
money from the public ? The will of the great NELSON was,
that out of the provision to be made for him, somethiug
!night be-set apxt for Lady HAMILTON. By nu:king a see•
ciflc p: Vision fa.. her, his will would not be complied with,
his wil,hes would not be consulted. It is much to be re-
gretted Coat, in this instance, Parliament cannot revise its
proceedings, and make a deduction from the grant formerly-
rnade. If, however, this unfortunately cannot I e done,
it be proved, that a part of the Noble Lord's
will was secreted by the present libeial, benevolent, illus-
trious, interesting, and PREVENT possessor of the title,
would it n',t be proper for Parliament to vindicate its own
character for munificence and anxiety to comply with the last
wish of the. departed hero, by coming to some resolutions
strongly declaratory of their sentiments on the conceal-
went of the codicil, and expressing an opinion that such
remuneration as Lady llAatte-rota may appear to de-
serve, ought to be given by him who prevented their
granting it at a former period. Would not this tYcjastice to
the country, and would this be a prhper compliment to pay
to such a man as the present Lord NELSON ?
I am, Mr. Editor, yours, &c.

QUERY.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF KING'S BENCH, WESTMINSTER,

SATITRDAY, FEB. 20.
EXECUTORS OF NIARTIMMLE V. EXILCUTORS OF LARY A. CAR*
PENTER•
This was 3R action brought to recover two separate sums of BOO!.
money lent and advanced.
The defence set up resisting the payment was, that the advances
were connected with gambling transa:lions, in such a way as not to
entitle the plaio;iflto a legal right of recovery. It appeared that -Mar-
tindale had bvan the keeper of a FARO TABLE, and that her Ladyship
had been in the habit of playing at it. It was contended that these
alleged advances had been, in tact, losses at the table.
In retutation of these p:etensinns, it was stated that Martindale hag-
been it, the constant habit of making advances-of money in the way of
loans to those ladies of fashion svhd frequented kis table; for when
they had been unsuccessful at Faro, they were in want of money to
carry on their domestic concerns. n such occasions Martindale had
ever found it necessary to stand the friend of those who visited his
table.
Lord Ellenborough left it to the Jury t 4 settle the conflicting stare.
ments. If the debts resulted from gambling, then would the de•
fendants be entitled to their verdict; but if the Jury should consider
the debts to have arisen from legitimate loans, they would of course
find for the plaintiff.—Tlic Jury found for the plaintiff.