THE NELSON ANNUITY
SIR,—Apropos of your remarks on the Nelson pension in The Spectator of December 6th, perhaps the following may be of interest. It is an extract from the reminiscences of the Rev. George Gilbert, M.A., O.K.S., who was a Prebendary of Lincoln in 1862. His teminiscences are con- tained in a MS. volume in the Cathedral Library here, and have been privately printed for this school, of which he was an old boy. I have the headmaster's permission to send you the following quotation:
" Dr. Nelson succeeded Archdeacon Lynch. He was a rough man, fitted to be a country squire. He was very kind to G. G. in after life. He held office as Vice Dean for three years. The enthrone- ment of Archbishop Manners Sutton took place during one of these years—I think 18o5—Dr. Nelson was proxy for the Archbishop elect_... . Dr. N. of course took deep interest in his brother the Admiral's proceedings. For some days before the Battle of Trafalgar he went regularly about 8 o'clock to Bristow's reading Room on the Parade to gain the earliest information. At last the news of the Victory over the French and Spanish Fleets arrived and also of Lord Nelson's death. Mr. Bristow ... with great tact came to the Church Yard to meet Dr. N. and prevent his discovering the intelligence in a public news-room. They met on the Church pavement (see Buckler's print). I was present. Mr. B. gave the news. The Dr. seemed much affected and shed tears, and turned back to his house, applying his white handkerchief to his eyes. In a few hours came the news, etc., directly from Government. The grief soon fled, the titles were announced, and some paints of water colour were pro- cured to mark the color of the new liveries to be adopted after the mourning.
"Lady Hamilton occasionally visited Dr. and Mrs. Nelson in the Brick Walk. Miss Nelson used to visit her. It was not easy to get ladies to visit with her. . . . The doctor procured 2 or 3 bottles of Champagne, then a rare and expensive wine for a dinner party during Lady H.'s visit. These were used during dinner quickly, but when her Ladyship challenged some gentlemen in a glass of Chant. pagne, there was none forthcoming This was an untoward incident.
" Lady H. and Madame Bianchi sang an anthem in the Choir one day after service, a few persons being present, G. G. among them. The anthem was Kent's `My song shall be of mercy and judgement.' The singing was very fine, for the compass of Lady H.'s voice was surprizing. Dean Powis was present near the entrance of the presby- tery. ' Shall I sing an anthem for the benefit of the County Hospital, Mr. Dean,' shouted her Ladyship. The Dean affecting deafness returned no answer ; and her Ladyship understood him."
The spelling and punctuation are the author's.—Yours faithfully,
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