Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-05

rusai of lori Nelson's Letters 10 Lahy Hamilton
published by the Lady herself There has no
been many e nces even in England, Of ladie-
IN the higher walks Of society Drawing The opini
ons or all good men, and setting at defiance the
decencies and decoruins of life with such an all
| OF hardyle yity The criminal connexion between
! these two noble persons WAS subject Of public
notoriety, Theiracquantance commenced AZ Ma.
lpies, and their adulterous love spriDging up
amidst the rank luxuriance ofvice in that most
lproHigate court, was consecrated by an act of the
soulest murder that blackens and sslisgraces the
blood-stained page of history. The whole pro-
gress OF this ill-omened connexion corresponds
with its suspicious Beginning. The volumes
which contain IFS history, exhibit picture ofvul-
gar coarseness and brutal depravity in the upper
circles of English society, such as we verify, be-
iIeve could hardly be tolerated in any country not
tainted to the very vitals and such as we wiling
~ hope may correct that silly admiration of row
atty and nobility, that has corrupted and pervert-
ed the POLITICAL principles of some of our self.
1t is hig be that this cant,ng nation should
De unmaskedH ~. least that the people of this
country should know what it is that tLev are cali.
ed on to admire and initiate The publication Of
theSe letters, we trust, VIII contribute sometime
TO this end. Lord Nelson was ut the period when
these letters were written the pride and idol Of
the English people. To our shame be it spoken.
he was almost equally favorite with large par
| ty among US party also that approprsates To
itself the praise of being distinguished as moral
and religious. Letit be remembered, too. that
has Lordshp's pietysNyss celebrated not muchless
than that of "his .7yyests." To the confusion of
these hypoc-ites his dearest Emma;' has I'M
yelled this sainted hero. We see The Peer as he
really was, not as fiatte,y has represented him.
But we viii not detain our readers longer from
our extracts
All your dear letters, M dear letters. are so
entertaining and which paint SO clearly what YOU
are after, that they give me either the greatest
pleasure, or the greatest pain. 1t is the next best
thing to being with you
| only desire, my dearest Emma, that you will
Always believe Nelson's your own. Nelson's Alpha
ana Onegais Emma cannot alter, my affection
and love is beyond this world
| 'Irejoioe that you lave had so pleasant a. trip
to Norfolk, and fhope one day to carr gou there
oy nearer tie in la1o 6ut not in loUe and affection
than at Present Vol. 1, p 137.
| If Mr., Arlington gives YOU the pension it is
well, but do not let it fret you Have you not
Morton. 1t is clear, the first purchase, and my
dear Horatio is provided for. I hope sou 7viH be
one Of tfsse days my DRtchess Of Bronte -
Vol, l, p. 157.
The title of Duke of Bronte was conferred on
nelson ~ the king of Sicily. lie perseyered to
nus death inurging the ministry to grant pen
SION to his mistress. The minissr however, had
100 much regard for decency aud public opinion
20 comply with his urgent solicitations 1t was
partly to revenge this neglect and to relieve her
pecuniary necessities that the Lady published.
this correspondence.
There is no desire of wealth. no ambition that
could keep me from all my soul holds dear No;
II is 10 serve my country, my 1oife ia the .eyes of
God and will tell you all is right" Vol.
| l, p. 177.
We have no means ofdetermining with what
it,f baT., Il ~
| up But we find in the sequel of the book that
two worthy clergymen, Bishob and a Rector.
enjoyed portion of the lady's favour and per-
maps TO them those modest lovers were acoIstchn-
ed to propose their cases of conscience. We have
no reason TO think, as will appear hereafter.
that these teachers of English piety and moral.
| ny We're more scrupulous than Nelson or the
Lady.
| THERE'S something so shocking in the extracts
below, that we know not in what words toexprcss
the emotions Of horror and disgust which thew
must excltein every mind not dead to evel-y sem
timent OF humanity and honor. Here is nothing
less than direct prayer for the death ofhis WIFE
against whom he could bring no charge but her
steady nde!ty and exemplary conduct under the
greatest injuries and provocatons from. profit
gate, abandoned, and unfeeling husband
| Never mind the great Bashaw of the Priorv
lie De Damned "a fayorite expression in the let.
! ters ofthls accomplished Lord to his mistress
u he was single and mind to mar7yyou he could
only make you Marchioness; but as he is stu
ated and SITUATED, can make you a Duchess,
and FIR please God, thai time mag soon alTiue.-
linen, .fmenl p Vol. ., p %.
Il entreatmy dear Emma that YOU would cheer
up, and we will look forward to many, MANY han
Ply years, and to be surrounded by our children
and chldren's children. God .4irniehty can 1vLen.
ne bleases, renOUe the imPealmenf! p Vol 8,
p. 81.
This last letter was written in Sept 1906 but
a short time before his death. The extracts
above (and more ofthe same kind could easily be
sound) set all comment at defiance. What must
have been the moral feeling of the man who could
pursue with such relentless hatred am amiable
woman whom he was bound by the most sacred
obligations to love and protect Yet this IS the
man whom the people ofEngland idolized. It's
not all surprising that his conduct in this respect
dld not lessen his glory IN the eyes of a people
VINO are in the habit of selling their 4siyes at buB
nc auction. But this is the man whom ON. Cos
sack priests extoied for his bietV. This was their
christian hero, whom they delighted TO Contrast
an thelr last and thanksgiving homilies with Boz
naparte and the generals Of France. Let The Eng
hsh hero be compared with the French hero A
more striking contrast cannot be found than be-
tween the dignifed elevation OF sentiment OF the
one, and the ferocious and brutal yulgarity oFthe
other. But Nelson was an EnEl shman. and that
IN the opinion OF some ofour people, not Only re-
deemed his faults but gave them the character of
virtues.
I viii thereafter give some further extractsf.om
this oetestablc correspondence. and exhibit The