The following most interesting letter, written by Lord Nelson to the Earl of St. Vincent, the third day after their arrival, contains a valuable narrative of the various proceedings by which this important business was preceded, and at length thus successfully accomplished. "Palermo, Dec. 28, 1798. "MY LORD, "On the 22d, I wrote a line to Commodore Duckworth, telling him that the Royal Family of the Two Sicilies were safely embarked on board the Vanguard; and requested him to take the first opportunity of acquainting your lordship of this event. For many days previous to the embarkation, it was not difficult to foresee that such a thing might happen. I, therefore, sent for the Goliath, from off Malta; and for Captain Troubridge in the Culloden, and his squadron from the north and west coast of Italy: the Vanguard being the only ship in Naples Bay. On the 14th, the Marquis De Niza, with three of the Portuguese squadron, arrived from Leghorn; as did Captain Hope, in the Alcmene, from Egypt. From this time, the danger for the personal safety of their Sicilian Majesties was daily increasing; and new treasons were found out, even to the minister at war. The whole correspondence relative to this important business was carried on, with the greatest address, by Lady Hamilton and the queen; who, being constantly in the habits of correspondence, no one could suspect. It would have been highly imprudent, either in Sir William Hamilton or myself, to have gone to court; as we knew that all our movements were watched, and that even an idea was entertained, by the Jacobins, of arresting our persons, as a hostage--as they foolishly imagined--against the attack of Naples, should the French get possession of it. Lady Hamilton, from this time, to the 21st, every night received the jewels of the royal family, &c. &c. &c. and such cloaths as might be necessary for the very large party to embark; to the amount, I am confident, of full two millions five hundred thousand pounds sterling. On the 18th, General Mack wrote, that he had no prospect of stopping the progress of the French; and intreated their majesties to think of retreating from Naples, with their august family, as expeditiously as possible. All the Neapolitan navy were now taken out of the mole, consisting of three sail of the line and three frigates. The seamen, from the two sail of the line in the bay, left their ships, and went on shore; and a party of English seamen, with officers, were sent from the Vanguard, to assist in navigating them to a place of safety. From the 18th, various plans were formed for the removal of the royal family from the palace to the water-side. On the 19th, I received a note from General Acton; saying, that the king approved of my plan for their embarkation. This day, and the