The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-30

epOus JOus anu LOiu NeisOn1 VINO loves you
dearly, never ceases when you are our
theme. God bless you. May you have
every happiness and blessing this world can
afford. Ever your obliged and sincere
EMMA HAMILTON.
This letter, with its postscript, is dated
from Merton, in Surrey, Nelson's country
seat. II may seem q little strange. however
good friends they might have been, that
Lady Emma Hamilton, who, with her hus-
band Sir William, we're Lord Nelson's
guests. should have added q postscript TO
the letter, but the morals of the world we're
no better eighty four years ago than they are
now.
FAMILY TROUBLES.
In 1901, the year before the date of this
letter, Nelson's wife, who was daughter of
Mr.. Herbert, Governor Of Nevis, one of the
West India Islands, separated from him on
account Of his infatuation for Lady Hamil-
ton. 1t is said that his last words to his wife
were: Il call God TO witness that there is
nothing in you or your conduct that wish
otherwise" The luster of the great Admi-
rsl's renown appears to have blinded
grateful people to his indiscretions. Indeed,
despite his historical words when dying on
the deck of flagship: Take care of my dear
Lady Hamilton, Hardy" there are many who
hold that the attachment between the parties
was purely plstonic. On the other hand il
is claimed that Horatis Nelson was his nat.
ural daughter by Lady Hamilton.
Lady Hsmilton's handwriting is 8 coarse
scrswl, and bellies the statement of some
historians that during one period of her
eventful career she acquired an excellent
education. Her life was a remarkable one,
and it may not be embarrassing 70 sketch
briefly the career IF the woman who charmed
1aca a r,arcoua m shan Nalcon
STRANGE CAREER.
Her name was Emma Lyon, alias Harte,
and she was the illegitimRte offspring Of
servant girl, born about 17G0, according to
some in Wales and according to others in
Cheshire. At the age Of Is she was a nurse
girl, and st 10 worked IN 8 MERGERS shop,
then became chaimbermaid to 8 lady of
rank, and next waitress In tavern. While
hero she learned that cousin had been
pressed into the navy, and she went to his
osptain, John Willett, TO beg for mis- release.
Willett released the cousin, but persuaded
the girl to become his mistress. The con-
nectiOn lasted some years, and it is during
this time she is supposed TO have gained her
education. Willett wesrying of her turned
her over to friend, who left her month
later in extreme poverty. She was next en-
gagged by notorious quack doctor named
Graham to do some tablesu work vivsnt bust
ness for him, personating Hygies, the god
dess of health. She created great sensa-
tion in the act, and captlvated many of the
young bloods Of the day. Among them was
Charles Greville, of the ancient family of
Warwick, by whom she had three children,
and fascinated to such a degree that in 1874
he determined TO marry her. Greville's un-
Gle, Sir William Hamilton, foster brother of
George Ill, q stRid sntiqusry "a years old,
then holding the position of English Enbas-
sador to Naples, heard Of the threatened FAM
lily disgrace, and fastened to England to pre-
vent II. The old gentleman no sooner
saw his nephew's mistress than he, too, fell
a victim to her wilee, and secured her for
himself, purchasing her from Greville, the
price being the payment of the lstter's debts.
Sir William took her back to Naples, and
there privately married her but did not pub
hcly present her till 1871, when he was APP
pointed Privy Councillor. Then the illegit-
innate child OF the obscure servant girl was
introduced to Queen Caroline, of Naples, re-
eeiVed into intimacy and confidence, snd her
extraordinary natural talent for personal and
political intrigue found a wide field.
NELSON AND LADY HAMILTON.
January 80, 1898, the war with France hav
ing broken out, Nelson, then So years old
u
the Agsmennon, sixty-four guns, and joined
the Mediterranean feet, commanded by
Lord Hood. The latter sent Nelson with
dispatches to Naples, where he made the ac-
quaintance Of Sir William and Lady Hamil-
ton. Sir William was then 65 years old and
LADY Hamilton SO. Nelson was two years
older than she, and q sad sea dog, and the
trouble commenced. The evil effects of the
connection, showed six years after, in June,
1899, when the Neapolitsn "insurgente," the
upholders of the Parthenopean republic, were
inhumanly treated by the British under Mel
son, the action, it is claimed with consider
able show Of authority, being due TO L1dy
Hamiltons influence with Nelson, che with
the royal court having been for time CON-
PEELED by the Republicans TO seek refuge
elsewhere. In 1900 Nelson, in company
with Sir William and Lady Hamilton, re-
turned to England through Germany, land
ing 81 YarmouthN ovember {, 1880. March to
August 1901, he was ahost again in the Bal
tic, at Copenhagen and at Boulogne, and
then ne retired 70 his seat at Merton, in Sur
rey, again with Sir William and Lady
Hamilton. April q, 1903, Sir William died
in London.
AFTER THE FRENCH AGAIN.
May 20 following Nelson set SSH again,
and alter blockading Toulon he chased the
French aeet to the West Indies and back,
and being unsuccessful in coming to action
returned to shore, where he remained till he
took command again in 1905, when he met
his death. The intimacy which had existed
between them entailed distress to Lady Ham
ilton, who found herself despised IN Eng
| land on account Of it. 1t is stated that her
husband during his lifetmime not only knew
Of the lsision with Nelson, but tscitly en-
couraged it for expediency's sake. He was
credited with having in 1898 effected 5
treaty OF alliance between the courts of st.
I James and Naples, but much, if not sll the
| political management Of the movement is
I said to be attributable to the influence OF his
wife and Nelson. Lady Hamilton was IN
doubtedly lobbyist" without scruples OF
/ any kind, and her husband a pandering
dotard. But with her unquestioned natural
/ ability who shall say what the unfortunate
woman might not have been had the acct
dent of birth given her fairer start in
! life2
She died at Calais in 1915, aged So years,
in want and misery.
NELSON'S REQUESTS.
A few hours before his death Nelson