Nelson & His World

Yesterday's [12th November] issue of the Times had an interesting article on the sale of letters written by George III to Prince William [later William IV] when he joined the navy. William's older brother was already well on the way to debauchery and debt, and the King was anxious to steer William from a similar path.

These are his words to William in 1779 when he was a midshipman:

'You are now launching into a scene of life where you may either prove and Honour or a Disgrace to your Family; it would be very unwelcoming of the love I have for my children if I did not at this moment give you advice [on] how to conduct yourself dictated from no other motive than the anxious feelings of a Parent, that his Child may be happy, and deserve the approbation of Men of worth and integrity.

'Though when at home a Prince, on board of the Prince George you are only a Boy learning the naval profession; but the Prince so far accompanies you that what other boys do, you must not: It must never be out of your thoughts that more Obedience is necessary from You to Your superiors in the Navy; more Politeness to your Equals, and more good nature to your Inferiors than from those who have not been told that these are essential for a gentleman.'


Alas, after a fairly good start, when the King notices that 'your conduct has changed much to your advantage' he soon revealed he had difficulties working with others and fell into the typically Hanoverian pattern of rebelliousness and womanising. The King laments his 'unhappy disposition to resist control', bitterly condemns his 'love of improper company' and expresses anger at his mounting financial problems.

Thomas Venning, a manuscript specialist at Christie's, where the letters will be sold says the letters give a 'fascinating personal perspective on the dysfunctional 18th century Royal Family...[the King] gets more disapproving of his conduct but you can tell it is going in one ear and out the other'.

The lot contains 22 letters from the King and 59 from the Queen, and other members of the Royal Family. It is expected to make about £20,000.

Fathers penning instructive letters to their sons was obviously customary - one remembers Lord Chesterfield's letters to his son, amongst others, and I have just located a letter that Rev George Austen, father of Jane (her again!) wrote to his son Francis when he joined the Navy:

'Your behaviour, as a member of society to the Individuals around you may be of great importance to your future well-doing....The little world, of which you are going to become an inhabitant, will consist of three Orders of Men - All of whom will occasionally have it in their power to contribute no little share to your pleasure or pain; to conciliate their goodwill, by every honourable Method will be the part of a prudent Man. Your Commander and Officers will be most likely to become your friends by a respectful behaviour to themselves, and by an active & ready Obedience to orders. Good humour, an inclination to oblige & the carefully avoiding every appearance of Selfishness will infallibly secure you the regards of your own Mess & of all your Equals. With your Inferiors....there is a sort of kindness they have a claim on you for, & which, you may believe me, will not be thrown away on them.

Your conduct chiefly comprehends Sobriety & Prudence...She [Prudence] will teach you the proper disposal of your time & the careful management of your Money..She will teach you that the best chance of rising in life is to make yourself as useful as possible & distinguishing yourself from those of your rank by a superior Proficiency in Nautical Acquirements.'

The letter was found among Frank's papers, worn and tattered from frequent reading and folding, when he died Admiral of the Fleet in 1865.

From 'Memorandum for the use of Mr F.W. Austen on his going to the East Indies on board His Majesty's ship 'Perseverance' (Captain Smith) December 1788' quoted in 'Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers' by J H and E C Hubback, 1905.

It is to Prince William Henry of course that we are indebted for his famous description of Nelson, 'the merest boy of a captain I ever beheld...', made on first acquaintance whilst the former was a midshipman on Hood's flagship the 'Barfleur' in 1782 and the latter was captain of the 'Albemarle.' From this first meeting a friendship of a sort was to develop. However, friendship or no, Nelson could see in the Prince the type of character he was developing into and in a letter some months later to William Locker, dated February 25th 1783, he writes of the Prince 'he will be a disciplinarian, and a strong one'. However he then goes on to say, 'with the best temper, and great good sense, he cannot fail of being pleasing to everyone'.

When the two served in the West Indies 1786-7, when Nelson was the senior officer, the atmosphere which developed onboard the Prince's ship, the frigate 'Pegasus', was anything but harmonious eventually leading to her first lieutenant, Schomberg, demanding a court martial against his captain. It must be said that Nelson did little to diffuse the situation.

Kester