Page:Memoirs of the life and gallant services of Admiral Lord Nelson.pdf/18

 18 The Life and gallant Services it gives new energy to the diſponding mind, and ſupplies the perſevering with freſh hope. Lord Nelſon's character, and military exploits, may be put on a parallel with thoſe of Agrippa, in a few words: eminent merit, attended with remarka- ble models. Like this Roman, he has been victori- ous in both hemiſpheres, and with the fleets of France and Spain. Like Agrippa alſo, Lord Nelſon's glo- ry has not been confined to one element. He has triumphed both by ſea and land. The noble admiral's humanity in private life has been long felt by the poor of Burnham Thorpe, and its vicinity. His firm and ſteady attachment to his friends has been no leſs conſpicuous than his bene- volence and bounty to the poor, ſo far as he poſſeſs- ed the means of rendering ſervice. Lord Nelſon's character in the humble and private walks of life, like that of' his profeſional one, will exite equal ad- miration : as Delany ſaid of Swift, " They will both " bear to be re-conſidered, and re-examined with the ut- " moſt attention, and will always diſcover new beau- "ties and exellencies, upon every examination. They " will bear to be conſidered as the Sun; in which the " brightneſs will hide the blemiſhes." When quite a child, and on a viſit with his grand- mother at Hilborough, Lord Nelſon was invited by another boy to go bird's-neſting; as he did not re- turn at the uſual dinner hour, the old lady became alarmed, and diſpatched meſſengers in different ways to ſearch after him. The young ramblers at length were diſcovered under a hedge counting over the ſpoils of the day, and the young Horatio was brought home. His relation began to ſcold him for being abſent without her leave, and concluded with ſaying, " I wonder FEAR did not drive you home." Horatio innocently replied, Madam, I never ſaw FEAR!” Lord Nelſon was born September 29th, 1758; married March 11, 1787, Frances Herbert, daugh- ter