NELSON'S LEGACY TO HIS COUNTRY.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 263, 6 March 1886, Page 4

NELSON'S LEGACY TO HIS COUNTRY.

It came to pass that on the morning of the 21st of October, 1805, Nelson sat in his cabin aboard the Victory, off Cape Trafalgar, writing his last bequest:— " Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, willow of the llight Hon. Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to our King and country to my knowledge. . . . Could I have rewarded these services I would not now call upon my country; but as that has not been in my power, I leave Emma Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my King and country, that they will give her an ample provision to maintain her rank in life. I also leave to the beneficence of my country my adopted daughter, Horatio Nelson Thomson, and I desire she will in future use the name of Nelson only. These are the only favours I ask of my King and country at this moment when I am going to fight their battle. May God bless my King and country and all those I hold dear." The results of this affecting despatch are only two well known. The great admiral's brother was created an Earl, with a grant of £6OOO per annum, a sum of 4-10,000 to each of his sisters, and £200,000 for the purchase o an estate'; but Lady Hamilton's claim was utterly ignored, alike by the poor, respectable creature who succeeded to Horatio's state and fame, and by the nation in whose defence Horatio died, and whose safety Horatio achieved. She died a pauper at Calais, and was buried as a pauper by subscription in 41 the heretics' burying ground " outside the walls. In 1816 her grave was already forgotten, so that Sylvanus who passed that way and made inquiries, could fiud no vestige of her. "Alas!" says Mr Urban, in his gentlemanly way, " how fleeting are the honours of this passing world."—Magazine of Art.