CHAPTER XVIII.
RELEASE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE PEACE OF AMIENS .-- HOME LIFE AT MERTON .-- PUBLIC INCIDENTS.
OCTOBER, 1801--MAY, 1803.
Nelson makes his home with the Hamiltons His letter of final severance to his wife His relations to his stepson, Josiah Nisbet Desire to have a home of his own Lady Hamilton selects Merton for him The purchase effected, and the Hamiltons reside with him Position of Sir William and of Lady Hamilton in the house Differences between them Minto's account of the household at Merton Reminiscence of the same by Nelson's nephew Incident narrated by Lieutenant Layman Recollections of Nelson by the vicar's daughter Nelson's strong religious sense of Divine Providence Takes his place in the House of Lords His controversy about rewards for the Battle of Copenhagen His action justified Nelson's warm and avowed sympathy with his followers His consistent maintenance of the ground assumed His interest in public questions Dissatisfaction with the general conduct of the Admiralty His sense of neglect Embarrassment in money matters Inadequacy of his pension to his services His doubts as to the continuance of peace His antagonism to Bonaparte illustrated Speech in seconding the address to the throne Designated for the Mediterranean in case of war Volunteers his services Hoists his flag in the "Victory," and sails Breaks in his home-ties during this period Death of his father Death of Sir William Hamilton Hamilton's expressed confidence in Nelson Relations of Nelson's family to Lady Nelson and to Lady Hamilton.