What a fascinating little note!
The footnotes included on the auctioneer's (Bonhams) website confirm that Nelson began signing himself in the English Peer style - 'Nelson' - after 20 November 1800 when it became clear that the signature he was then using - 'Bronte Nelson of the Nile' - was improper.
That would place this particular note between 20 Nov 1800 and 9 Jan 1801.
But I'm not sure I agree with the rest of the auctioneer's analysis:
http://tinyurl.com/boknur6The first scenario that immediately chimed was one covered by John Watkins (The Memoirs of Lady Hamilton), Andrew Snape Hamond (Farington Diaries) and Cornelia Knight in her journal.
The incident the note refers to is similar, though not exact, in all these accounts:
Quote:
Hamond: In this fainting state, which was supposed to be assumed because Lady Nelson by whom she [Emma] sat had not noticed Her sufficiently, she was carried into another room. Lord Nelson expected Lady Nelson wd. have attended Her & was so much offended at Her not doing it that He formed a resolution to leave Her.
Watkins (a much longer, more detailed and unpleasant account) relates a Duchess ignoring Lady H despite Nelson's attempts to bring her forward as his 'particular friend.' The upshot is that Lady Nelson fails to join in the general opprobrium when the Duchess leaves and ends up being blamed:
Quote:
'... he harshly demanded of his wife where Lady Hamilton was, and who was with her... on which his Lordship flew into a violent passion, and insisted that she should instantly go and wait upon Lady Hamilton herself... his Lordship became more furious, and directly charged his gentle partner with being the cause of the distressing state in which he found his favourite...'
Cornelia Knight, more general - and purposely inaccurate on occasions - wrote:
Quote:
…So much was said about the attachment of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamlilton, that it made the matter still worse. He felt irritated, and took it up in an unfortunate manner by devoting himself more and more to her, for the purpose of what he called supporting her. Mischief was made on all sides…
At a push, I'd date the 'cataclysmic supper' to Saturday 22 November 1800, and Nelson's note to Sunday 23rd. Emma must have 'sent for' Nelson quickly, as they were at Pizzaro (the scene of another well recorded incident) on the 24th.
Of course the note could refer to another event entirely - much took place at the time that remains unknown even 200+ years later. But at this period Emma was certainly at her wits end because of Nelson's escalating public faux pas - his chivalry and sense of responsibility drew more attention to their situation than anyone involved was comfortable with. Interestingly, Hamond relates that Sir William blamed his wife for the ruckus - but then he didn't know the full facts of Emma's indisposition. Watkins - in the retelling - did.