An interesting relic of Nelson has been discovered; and some
interest also attaches to the manner in which it has been secured to the nation. Sir Harris Nicolas, in his laborious researches for editing the hero's Dis- patches, had satisfied himself that the coat and waistcoat which Nelson wore when he fell at Trafalgar were carefully preserved. In pursuance of the Admiral's directions, they were given, with several other things, by Sir Thomas Hardy, his Captain, to Lady Hamilton; by her they were transferred, under peculiar circumstances, to a late Alderman of London; and they remained in possession of the Alderman's widow. The lady is not rich, and she asked 1501. for the relic. The sum being beyond his oven means, Sir Harris determined to raise it by subscription, in order that the coat and waistcoat might be deposited, like the coat which Nelson wore at the battle of the Nile, in Greenwich Hospital. With that view, he put the proposition in writing, and had it printed as a circular. Before issu- ing the circular, however, he sent a copy to Prince Albert"; who immediately desired that the purchase might be made for himself, as he should feel "pride and pleasure" in presenting the precious memorials to Greenwich Hospital. Sir Harris Nicolas took them to the Royal purchaser on Wed- nesday; and we understand that the Prince manifested a very fine feeling on the occasion. There is a kind of generous wisdom in this act; for nothing could so help to identify the Queen's husband with the British people as such little tributes to their maritime pride. The coat is thus described in Sir Harris Nicolas's circular; and it will be seen that it has an historical value-
" The coat is the undress uniform of a Vice-Admiral, lined with white silk, with lace on the cuffs, and epaulettes. Four stars—of the Orders of the Bath, St. Ferdinand and Merit, the Crescent, and St. Joachim—are seem on the left breast, as Nelson habitually wore them: which disproves the story, that he pur- posely adorned himself with his decorations on going into battle ! The course of the fatal ball is shown by a hole over the left shoulder, and part of the epaulette is torn away: which agrees with Dr. Sir William Beattie's account of Lord Nel- son's death, and with time fact, that pieces of the bullion and pad of the epaulette adhered to the ball, which is now in her Majesty's possession. The coat and waistcoat are stained in several places with the hero's blood."
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