What an interesting find, but it does sound rather like a rumour spread by others that Nelson was offended, since they were presumably offended themselves! Perhaps there may be a hint there, but the letter is just what one might expect from Nelson, the son of a clergyman, in having consideration for those who might be in church.
Nelson was obviouly not a Freeman in 1801, and it is strange that he never seems to have become one. Incidentally, and I have not noticed this before in his letters although Anna may have done, but has anyone noticed the distinct upward, and to the right, direction of his writing. I wonder what a person who studies handwriting (I forget their name) would make of that – or perhaps they already have? Might it have any relation to his feelings after Copenhagen?
I am however, a little mystified as to what occasion this refers to, as the letter appears to be dated on board the St.George on the 27th April, 1801, when Nelson was still in the Baltic. He didn't actually return from the Baltic until 19th June, in the gun-brig Kite, and I think landed at Great Yarmouth.
_________________ Kester.
|