"Allow me to congratulate you on the conquest of Minorca; an acquisition, as a sea-port, invaluable to our country. I hurried from Egypt, early in August; as, by the Earl of St. Vincent's orders, I was in expectation of being summoned to attend you. However, I am sure, my place was much better filled by Commodore Duckworth. The new war commenced here, it is yet impossible to say how it may turn: whether it will really hasten the ruin, or save the monarchy. At all events, if the king had not began the war, he would have soon been kicked out of his kingdom. The king is at Rome; but five hundred French still hold possession of St. Angelo. General Mack is gone to Civita Castellana, where thirteen thousand French have taken post. Mack's force, with him, is twenty thousand fine young men; but, with some few exceptions, wretchedly officered. If the French are not soon driven from their post, which is very strong by nature, Mack must fall back to the frontier on the side of Ancona. The French have drove back, to say no more, the right wing of the king's army, and taken all their baggage and artillery. The emperor has not yet moved, and his minister, Thugut, is not very anxious to begin a new war; but, if he does not, Naples and Tuscany will fall in two months. I shall be happy if you will honour me, at any time, with your commands, here or elsewhere; being, with the highest respect, your most obedient servant, "Nelson." A letter from Earl Spencer had likewise reached Naples, at this period, with the official intelligence of Admiral Nelson's elevation to the peerage; an elevation which, it is certain, the Hero of the Nile by no means considered as excessive, any more than his particular friends, and even the country in general. In the following answer to Earl Spencer, it will appear, however, that his zeal kindles with far more ardour for his friend Troubridge, than for himself. Naples, 7th Dec. 1798 "MY DEAR LORD, "On my arrival here, from Leghorn, I received your lordship's letter of October 7, communicating to me the title his majesty had been graciously pleased to confer upon me; an honour, your lordship is pleased to say, the highest that has ever been conferred on an officer of my standing, who was not a commander in chief.