The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
Arnstein, too, the banker, at Vienna, a most opulent, liberal,
munificent, and benevolent Jew, whose family may be considered as the
Goldsmids of Germany, gave a grand concert, and splendid supper, to his
lordship and friends; at which all the foreign ministers and principal
nobility were present.
Though the Queen of Naples insisted on defraying all sorts of expences
incurred by his lordship and friends during their stay at Vienna,
whither they had so handsomely escorted her--and who had, accordingly,
every thing prepared for them at the palace, and regularly sent--they
constantly purchased, without her majesty's knowledge, whatever they
might happen to want. Mr. Oliver, being one day informed that the
Champagne was nearly exhausted, went immediately in search of a fresh
stock. It being a prohibited article at Vienna, the merchant whom he
applied to, observed that he did not sell it. Mr. Oliver then asked,
where he could procure some, as he feared his lordship would have none
at table. "What!" said the merchant, "do you want it for the great Lord
Nelson?" On being answered in the affirmative, he immediately
replied--"Then you shall take as much as you like; for, no man on earth
is more welcome to any thing I have." Mr. Oliver took only two bottles,
as the owner positively refused to receive any money from his lordship;
who, with his usual benignity of heart, on being informed of this
generous act, immediately invited the merchant to dine with him next
day.
At the earnest request of the Queen of Naples, their departure from
Vienna had been put off for several days; when it could no longer be
protracted, this dreaded separation took place at the imperial palace
of Schoenbrun, situated on the river Wien, which gives name to the city
of Vienna, from whence the palace is only two miles distant. The queen
was prodigiously affected, and earnestly intreated Lady Hamilton to
return with her to Naples. Sir William, too, her majesty remarked, when
he had transacted his business in England, whither he was for that
purpose accompanying his illustrious friend, would find the soft climate
of Italy far more congenial to his constitution than the damp atmosphere
of his own native country. Neither Sir William, nor his lady, however,
could listen to any arrangement which must subject them to even a
temporary separation from each other. Their domestic happiness,
notwithstanding the very considerable disparity of age, was ever most
exemplary; and it seems probable, that the amiable demeanour of Lady
Hamilton, whose tender regard for Sir William could not fail to excite
the admiration of every virtuous visitor, first gave birth to that
ardent friendship by which Lord Nelson unquestionably felt himself
attached to her ladyship. When the Queen of Naples found, that nothing
could induce Sir William to leave his lady behind, her majesty
immediately wrote an instrument, appointing Lady Hamilton to receive,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account