"We may truly call him a _heaven_-born Admiral, upon whom fortune smiles wherever he goes." So wrote Ball to Lady Hamilton, alluding to the first of the favors flung at his head.

"We have been carrying on the blockade of Malta sixteen months, during which time the enemy never attempted to throw in great succours.

His Lordship arrived off here the day they were within a few leagues of the island, captured the principal ships, and dispersed the rest, so that not one has reached the port." It was indeed a marvellous piece of what men call luck.

Nelson had never gone near Malta since October, 1798, till Keith took him there on the 15th of February, 1800.

The division had no sooner arrived at the island, than a frigate brought word of a French squadron having been seen off the west end of Sicily.