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THE Letters OF LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON; WITH A SUPPLEMENT OF _INTERESTING LETTERS_, BY Distinguished Characters.
Printed by Macdonald and Son, Smithfield, FOR THOMAS LOVEWELL & CO. STAINES HOUSE, BARBICAN;
In presenting to the Public the Letters of LORD NELSON to LADY HAMILTON, something may justly be expected elucidatory of them.
Their mutual attachment is so generally known, that for the Editors to have given notes, however desirable and explanatory, might not, perhaps, have been deemed perfectly decorous.
They now stand on their own real merits. Some parts (though not very numerous) have been suppressed, from the most honourable _feelings to individuals_, as they would certainly have given pain.
That portion of Letters now offered to the BRITISH NATION, written by the first of her _Naval Commanders_, will shew his most private sentiments of _men_ and _measures_, of _countries_ and their _rulers_.
It is the duty of the Editors to state, that every letter has been most accurately transcribed, and faithfully compared with the _originals in their possession_.
Should our IMMORTAL HERO have expressed an erroneous opinion of some individuals and of things, let us ever remember, they were written (_often under the feelings of sickness and of disappointment_) by him who so repeatedly fought, and almost as frequently bled, for _our country_--for his "DEAR ENGLAND;" and let us never forget, that to him we owe more than to any man for our existence as a great and powerful Nation.
His country has truly honoured him; and it is not presumptuous in the Editors to affirm, that his deeds will be remembered, not _only in name_, but in _their consequences_, by our remotest posterity.
Were we to dedicate them, unto whom should we?--To the BRITISH NAVY; as the genuine sentiments of a _true seaman_--the _first_ even of their own _Heroes_; for NELSON could forego all private feelings, _all selfish motives_, for that which will ever be the first object of a truly great and brave man--the _glory and happiness of his country_.
Our task, which has, from various causes, been attended with more difficulties than could be imagined, is thus far accomplished; and we have the pleasure to inform the public, that a very large collection of LORD NELSON'S _most important public and private correspondence_, &c. with the most distinguished characters (_at home and abroad_) is now in preparation for the press. Many of the documents will certainly throw a light on political transactions at present _very imperfectly understood_; and those which we intend to present to the world, we doubt not, will be found more than usually interesting.