"The Nation expected, and was entitled to expect, that while Cities vied with each other
in consecrating Statues in marble and brass to the memory of our NELSON, a Literary Monu-
ment would be erected, which should record his deeds for the immortal honour of his own
Country, and the admiration of the rest of the World."-QUARTERLY REVIEW.

THE THIRD VOLUME.

JANUARY 1798 TO AUGUST 1799.

LONDON:

HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER,

GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.

MDCCCXLV.

226. a. 190.

PREFACE.

THOUGH the Letters in the present Volume relate only to about one year and eight months (namely, from the 1st of January 1798, to the 31st of August 1799), they illustrate, perhaps, the most important as well as most interesting events of NELSON'S Life,-the first of his brilliant Victories, and the only transactions in his professional career to which blame has ever been attached.

Having hoisted his Flag on board the Vanguard, in March 1798, and joined the Earl of St. Vincent's Fleet, off Cadiz, he was sent in May, with a Squadron of observation, up the Mediterranean. Early in June, he was re-inforced by ten Sail of the Line, when he proceeded in search of the French Fleet to Naples, and thence to Alexandria; but not finding it, he returned to Syracuse, from which place he again sailed for Egypt. His anxiety to discover the Enemy, and his disappointment at missing them, are the principal subjects of his Correspondence, until his exertions were at last rewarded