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w formed an infatuated attachment for Lady Hamilton； which totally weaned his affections from his wife。 Farther than this； there is no reason to believe that this most unfortunate attachment was criminal； but this was criminality enough； and it brought with it its punishment。 Nelson was dissatisfied with himself； and therefore weary of the world。 This feeling he now frequently expressed。 〃There is no true happiness in this life；〃 said he； 〃and in my present state I could quit it with a smile。〃 And in a letter to his old friend Davison he said； 〃Believe me； my only wish is to sink with honour into the grave； and when that shall please God； I shall meet death with a smile。 Not that I am insensible to the honours and riches my king and country have heaped upon meso much more than any officer could deserve； yet am I ready to quit this world of trouble； and envy none but those of the estate six feet by two。〃
Well had it been for Nelson if he had made no other sacrifices to this unhappy attachment than his peace of mind； but it led to the only blot upon his public character。 While he sailed from Palermo； with the intention of collecting his whole force； and keeping off Maretimo； either to receive reinforcements there if the French were bound upwards； or to hasten to Minorca if that should be their destination； Captain Foote； in the Sea…horse； with the Neapolitan frigates； and some small vessels； under his command； was left to act with a land force consisting of a few regular troops； of four different nations； and with the armed rabble which Cardinal Ruffo called the Christian army。 His directions were to co…operate to the utmost of his power with the royalists； at whose head Ruffo had been placed； and he had no other instructions whatever。 Ruffo advancing without any plan； but relying upon the enemy's want of numbers； which prevented them from attempting to act upon the offensive； and ready to take advantage of any accident which might occur； approached Naples。 Fort St。 Elmo； which commands the town； was wholly garrisoned by the French troops； the castles of Uovo and Nuovo； which commanded the anchorage； were chiefly defended by Neapolitan revolutionists； the powerful men among them having taken shelter there。 If these castles were taken； the reduction of Fort St。 Elmo would be greatly expedited。 They were strong places； and there was reason to apprehend that the French fleet might arrive to relieve them。 Ruffo proposed to the garrison to capitulate； on condition that their persons and property should be guaranteed； and that they should； at their own option； either be sent to Toulon or remain at Naples； without being molested either in their persons or families。 This capitulation was accepted： it was signed by the cardinal； and the Russian and Turkish commanders； and lastly； by Captain Foote； as commander of the British force。 About six…and…thirty hours afterwards Nelson arrived in the bay with a force which had joined him during his cruise； consisting of seventeen sail of the line； with 1700 troops on board； and the Prince Royal of Naples in the admiral's ship。 A flag of truce was flying on the castles； and on board the SEAHORSE。 Nelson made a signal to annul the treaty； declaring that he would grant rebels no other terms than those of unconditional submission。 The cardinal objected to this： nor could all the arguments of Nelson； Sir W。 Hamilton； and Lady Hamilton； who took an active part in the conference； convince him that a treaty of such a nature； solemnly concluded； could honourably be set aside。 He retired at last； silenced by Nelson's authority； but not convinced。 Captain Foote was sent out of the bay； and the garrisons； taken out of the castles under pretence of carrying the treaty into effect； were delivered over as rebels to the vengeance of the Sicilian court。 A deplorable transaction！ a stain upon the memory of Nelson and the honour of England！ To palliate it would be in vain； to justify it would be wicked： there is no alternative； for one who will not make himself a participator in guilt； but to record the disgraceful story with sorrow and with shame。
Prince Francesco Caraccioli； a younger branch of one of the noblest Neapolitan families； escaped from one of these castles before it capitulated。 He was at the head of the marine； and was nearly seventy years of age； bearing a high character； both for professional and personal merit。 He had accompanied the court to Sicily； but when the revolutionary government； or Parthenopean Republic； as it was called； issued an edict； ordering all absent Neapolitans to return on pain of confiscation of their property； he solicited and obtained permission of the king to return； his estates being very great。 It is said that the king； when he granted him this permission； warned him not to take any part in politics； expressing at the same time his own persuasion that he should recover his kingdom。 But neither the king； nor he himself； ought to have imagined that； in such times； a man of such reputation would be permitted to remain inactive； and it soon appeared that Caraccioli was again in command of the navy； and serving under the republic against his late sovereign。 The sailors reported that he was forced to act thus； and this was believed； till it was seen that he directed ably the offensive operations of the revolutionists； and did not avail himself of opportunities for escaping when they offered。 When the recovery of Naples was evidently near； he applied to Cardinal Ruffo； and to the Duke of Calvirrano； for protection； expressing his hope that the few days during which he had been forced to obey the French would not outweigh forty years of faithful services； but perhaps not receiving such assurances as he wished； and knowing too well the temper of the Sicilian court； he endeavoured to secrete himself； and a price was set upon his head。 More unfortunately for others than for himself； he was brought in alive； having been discovered in the disguise of a peasant； and carried one morning on board Lord Nelson's ship； with his hands tied behind him。
Caraccioli was well known to the British officers； and had been ever highly esteemed by all who knew him。 Captain Hardy ordered him immedi… ately to be unbound； and to be treated with all those attentions which he felt due to a man who； when last on board the FOUDROYANT； had been received as an admiral and a prince。 Sir William and Lady Hamilton were in the ship； but Nelson； it is affirmed； saw no one except his own officers during the tragedy which ensued。 His own determination was made； and he issued an order to the Neapolitan commodore； Count Thurn； to assemble a court…martial of Neapolitan officers； on board the British flag…ship； proceed immediately to try the prisoner； and report to him； if the charges were proved； what punishment he ought to suffer。 These proceedings were as rapid as possible； Caraccioli was brought on board at nine in the forenoon； and the trial began at ten。 It lasted two hours： he averred in his defence that he had acted under compulsion； having been compelled to serve as a common soldier； till he consented to take command of the fleet。 This； the apologists of Lord Nelson say； he failed in proving。 They forget th