It is also worthy of remark, that while the prince spoke thus highly of Nelson, the latter estimated his royal highness in correspondent terms. In a letter to Captain Locker, about the same period, Nelson says, "You must have heard, long before this reaches you, that Prince William is under my command. I shall endeavour to take care that he is not a loser by that circumstance. He has his foibles as well as private men, but they are far overbalanced by his virtues. In his professional line he is superior to near two-thirds I am sure of the list; and in attention to orders, and respect to his superior officers, I hardly know his equal. His royal highness keeps up strict discipline in his ship, and without paying him any compliment, she is one of the finest ordered vessels I have seen." These opinions, it should be recollected, are quoted from private correspondence--a circumstance which adds materially to their value. On July 11, 1818, his royal highness was married at Kew to her serene highness Adelaide Amelia Louisa Theresa Caroline, princess of Saxe Meinengen, eldest daughter of his serene highness the late reigning duke of Saxe Meinengen. The ceremony, as is usual on these occasions, was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the presence of all the royal family. By this marriage his royal highness had one daughter, who was born March 27, 1819, and died after a few hours. In 1823, his royal highness was made a general of marines; and within the past year the duke has been appointed lord high admiral of England. It is not our intention here to enter into the supposed causes of the duke's long seclusion from public service, viz. from 1790 to the present time, except a short interval in 1814. At the commencement of the war with France, the late Duke of York took an early and active part by land; hence the question arises as to the non-appointment of the Duke of Clarence to a similar position by sea. The consequence has been, that the most vigorous portion of the duke's life has been lost to his country, whilst his royal highness has remained in comparative obscurity, amidst one of the most brilliant periods of our naval history. It is, however, gratifying to know that the duke's inactivity cannot be attributed to apathy on his part. On the contrary, he was anxious to be employed, and even sought appointment, as appears by the following letter, written by his royal highness to Commodore Owen in 1812:-- "_Bath House, Saturday night._