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

Old English county family, ana an eG-fresl-
dent of the St. Georges Society of this city,
the Inter-Ocesn was put into temporary
possession of bundle of old letters, some
written by the naval hero Lord Nelson.
The bombardment of Alexandria by the En-
glish iron-clad fleet scarce yesr ago and
the Circumstances recalled by the letters make
them doubly interesting,
Aug. 1, 1898, Lord Nelson, the creates!
naval officer Britain and perhaps the world
ever possessed, after hunting for the French
feet nearly three months, while cruising
off the Egyptian coast found the tri-color
floating from the walls of Alexandria, and
the Bay of Aboukir, twelve miles north
east, covered with French ships. The
Battle of Aboukir Bay, or the Battle Of the
Nile as it is generally called, followed, re-
sulting in the disastrous defeat of the French,
EIGHTY-FoUR YEARS AFTER.
August 1, 1882, found anEngllsh feet once
more before Alexandria with hostile intent,
and found the British Admiral, Beauchamp
Seymour in the Helicon, accommodating in
the Bay Of Aboukir,s place which must have
been full OF memories for the English sea-
man.
The lapse of time is moi great since Nell
sons day, yet what change has come over
the style of naval ornaments. What would
nowadays be the result of conflict between
the flagship of Lord Nelson and that of Ad-
miral SEYMOUR True, indeed, it is that time
brings great changes. A principle may be
the same for centuries, but its development
will have to be governed by circumstances
THE TACTICS or 1898
were adapted to the ornaments of that peri
cd, and would not avail to-day.
Nelson's name is as familiar and as much
known on this side of the Atlantic as on the
other, and therefore copies of two or three Of
the letters are given below. The letters are
written TO Captain Foley, naval oEcer,
who, it win be seen by the time of the cor
respondence, was close friend of the com.
mander and to whom Nelson felt himself
much indebted. The originals of these let
tiers are in fine preservation. The paper,
which is rough in texture and unlike any
thing seen nowadays, is worn at the folds,
but this is sIl. The missives, guiltless of en-
velopes, have been folded, addressed and
sealed with wax impressed with signet.
Nelson's handwriting is ls-ge-bold is bet
ter word though all the letters appear to
have been formed by upstrokes. He probably
wrote with quill, though very lightly and
rapidly. His signature, "Nelson and
Bronte," no had not long earned at the date
of the first letter printed below. After the
battle of Aboukir Bay. in 1898, he was made
Baron Nelson of the Nile; in June, 1899, az
ter restoring the King of Sicily to his do
of BrOnte, and in April lS0l, after the battle
Of Copenhagen, he was made Viscount Nell
SON.
SAILORS LETTER.
The letter given below was written soon
after the lsst.named victory:
ST. GEORGE, RosTocK, May %, 1S01-My
Dear Foley: Many thanks for your goodness
in executing my commission. 1 shall be sure
to approve. 1 do not expect this will find
you at Dsntzick. We have nothing from
England, Vanguard and Asia are in Kiogi
Bay. Best regards TO Murray and Tyler;
don't let the married go too much sstrsy for
we shall al be very soon in England. The
English ships in Russia we're liberated on the
18th. Ever yours faithfully,
NELsOE AND BRoNTE.
have had an invite TO Petersburg, but to
come with only one ship.
This letter, which contains rather 9 rough,
seamens joke, is dated on board Nelson's
snip, the St. George, at Rostock, on the War
now, which empties into the Baltic Sea-
The one which follows is a sincere and man.
" letter TO trusted friend. He evidently
has some kind of a joke, too. in this one
touching Lord Keith. He says ne sees nc
signs of war but seven months later ne wa:
shoat again in command of She Mediterrsn.
can feet blocksding Toulon.
KINDLY CONGRATULATIONS.
MERTON, Oct. 13, 1902 My Dear Foley;
Although I have not wrote to you since
your marriage the customary letter OF con-
graduation, yet / can assure you that no one
person in this world more sincerely wishes
you every fecility which that state can be
stow. Few, my dear Foley, have greater
obligations than have to you, and none,
ana bound to say, more readily acknowledge
them. Sir William and Lady Hamilton
slso desire me to say every kind thing foI
| them. We can none of us ever forget the
/ very great kindness shown US by both your
! brothers and sisters-in-law. George Martin
has been one Day with US; he ia not very
well. Lord Keith we have not seen
Martin says he is very low owing to hin
and HolloWen saying that they paic
so much more for shoes in l.. KS time thar
| they did in mine. In short his Secretary i
implicated. i. X. has, I am told, demand
ed an inquiry; so these great folks go on
We have seen very few naval people
Since our return London is thinned Of them
had letter yesterday from our frienc
Stewart. lie is st Sand gate with his riff
/ corps.
1 SEQ no sign of war, although many ar
| fearful of il, but believe without the small
est reason, and think you will have plent,
Of time to finish your house and to live man,
years in before you will be called forth, ant
that you may is the sincere wish of, m,
dear Foley. NELSON AND BEoETE.
Captain Foley,
FROM LADY HAMILTON.
On the fly sheet of this letter is the follow
ny interesting epistle:
My Dear Captain Foley: How sorry W
! were not to see you in Wales. Sir Williar
begs his kind compliments, andify you see you
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