a sounder man to serve the state." His first letter to Lady Nelson was
written under the same opinion, but in a more cheerful strain. "It was
the chance of war," said he, "and I have great reason to be thankful:
and I know it will add much to your pleasure to find that Josiah, under
God's providence, was principally instrumental in saving my life. I
shall not be surprised if I am neglected and forgotten: probably I
shall no longer be considered as useful; however, I shall feel rich if
I continue to enjoy your affection. I beg neither you nor my father
will think much of this mishap; my mind has long been made up to such an
event."

His son-in-law, according to his wish, was immediately promoted; and
honours enough to heal his wounded spirit awaited him in England.
Letters were addressed to him by the first lord of the Admiralty, and
by his steady friend the Duke of Clarence, to congratulate him on his
return, covered as he was with glory. He assured the Duke, in his reply,
that not a scrap of that ardour with which he had hitherto served his
king had been shot away. The freedom of the cities of Bristol and London
were transmitted to him; he was invested with the Order of the Bath, and
received a pension of L1000 a-year. The memorial which, as a matter
of form, he was called upon to present on this occasion, exhibited an
extraordinary catalogue of services performed during the war. It stated
that he had been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy, and
in three actions with boats employed in cutting out of harbour, in
destroying vessels, and in taking three towns. He had served on shore
with the army four months, and commanded the batteries at the sieges
of Basti and Calvi: he had assisted at the capture of seven sail of the
line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven privateers: taken and
destroyed near fifty sail of merchant vessels, and actually been engaged
against the enemy upwards of a hundred and twenty times, in which