Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Victory, 10 Sept 1803, (Harrison I, 147, not in Nicolas), on gifts from Naples, with PS 16 Sept, on presents from Venice.

From the stormy Gulf of Lyon Nelson sends his warmest affection. He has asked Falconet to arrange for some shawls to be chosen from the King’s manufactory at Naples, together with some Venetian chains. He wishes he knew what Emma would really like so that he could order them himself. He discusses the slowness in getting news from London; in the Mediterranean he can get an idea about the state of matters quicker via the French newspapers. He believes that peace will come sooner than is generally expected, and returning to Merton will give him the highest pleasure in the world. He discusses letters sent to Gibbs about his Bronte affairs and one to Mrs Graefer about administration of the estate. He has also written to Elliot about Sabatello. He is sending Emma a hundred pounds as a present for herself, and if she likes, a trifle for her mother and others living at Merton, including the servants and poor. On 16 September Nelson adds an update, as his secretary Scott has received two Venetian chains as a present for Emma.