The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the AlmanacHone, William
History
The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac
Hone, William
Days; Great Britain -- Social life and customs
time, forget what was due to the character of her sex, as well as of her
country. Here, also, a faithful historian is called upon to pronounce a
severe and unqualified condemnation of Nelson’s conduct. Had he the
authority of his Sicilian majesty for proceeding as he did? If so, why
was not that authority produced? If not, why were the proceedings
hurried on without it? Why was the trial precipitated, so that it was
impossible for the prisoner, if he had been innocent, to provide the
witnesses who might have proved him so? Why was a second trial refused,
when the known animosity of the president of the court against the
prisoner was considered? Why was the execution hastened, so as to
preclude any appeal for mercy, and render the prerogative of mercy
useless?--Doubtless, the British admiral seemed to himself to be acting
under a rigid sense of justice; but, to all other persons, it was
obvious, that he was influenced by an infatuated attachment--a baneful
passion, which destroyed his domestic happiness, and now, in a second
instance, stained ineffaceably his public character.
“The body was carried out to a considerable distance, and sunk in the
bay, with three double-headed shot, weighing 250 pounds, tied to its
legs. Between two and three weeks afterward, when the king was on board
the Foudroyant, a Neapolitan fisherman came to the ship, and solemnly
declared, that Caraccioli had risen from the bottom of the sea, and was
coming, as fast as he could, to Naples, swimming half out of the water.
Such an account was listened to like a tale of idle credulity. The day
being fair, Nelson, to please the king, stood out to sea; but the ship
had not proceeded far before a body was distinctly seen, upright in the
water, and approaching them. It was soon recognised to be, indeed, the
corpse of Caraccioli, which had risen, and floated, while the great
weights attached to the legs kept the body in a position like that of a
living man. A fact so extraordinary astonished the king, and perhaps
excited some feeling of superstitious fear, akin to regret. He gave
permission for the body to be taken on shore, and receive christian
burial.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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