from a step so injurious to himself, little foreseeing how deeply
the welfare and honour of England were at that moment at stake. This
interference produced a letter from Lord Howe the day before the ship
was paid off, intimating a wish to see Captain Nelson as soon as
he arrived in town; when, being pleased with his conversation, and
perfectly convinced, by what was then explained to him, of the propriety
of his conduct, he desired that he might present him to the king on
the first levee-day; and the gracious manner in which Nelson was then
received effectually removed his resentment.

Prejudices had been, in like manner, excited against his friend, Prince
William Henry. "Nothing is wanting, sir," said Nelson, in one of his
letters, "to make you the darling of the English nation but truth. Sorry
am I to say, much to the contrary has been dispersed." This was not
flattery, for Nelson was no flatterer. The letter in which this passage
occurs shows in how wise and noble a manner he dealt with the prince.
One of his royal highness's officers had applied for a court-martial
upon a point in which he was unquestionably wrong. His royal highness,
however, while he supported his own character and authority, prevented
the trial, which must have been injurious to a brave and deserving man.
"Now that you are parted," said Nelson, "pardon me, my prince, when I
presume to recommend that he may stand in your royal favour as if he had
never sailed with you, and that at some future day you will serve him.
There only wants this to place your conduct in the highest point of
view. None of us are without failings--his was being rather too hasty;
but that, put in competition with his being a good officer, will not,
I am bold to say, be taken in the scale against him. More able friends
than myself your royal highness may easily find, and of more consequence
in the state; but one more attached and affectionate is not so easily
met with: Princes seldom, very seldom, find a disinterested person to