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| Letter from Lord Nelson to his mistress Emma Hamilton to appear at auction | Letter from Lord Nelson to his mistress Emma Hamilton to appear at auction |
| (8 days later) | |
| A letter that shines a light on one of the most scandalous affairs of the 19th century, between the naval hero Lord Nelson and his mistress Lady Emma Hamilton, is to be sold at auction. | A letter that shines a light on one of the most scandalous affairs of the 19th century, between the naval hero Lord Nelson and his mistress Lady Emma Hamilton, is to be sold at auction. |
| Bonhams in London said that a short but emotional letter written in about 1801 would appear at its next books and manuscripts auction on 13 November with an estimate of between £6,000-£8,000. | Bonhams in London said that a short but emotional letter written in about 1801 would appear at its next books and manuscripts auction on 13 November with an estimate of between £6,000-£8,000. |
| In it, Nelson refers to what appears to be a disagreement the previous evening. "My Dear Lady," he writes, "I shall not come to Your house after what passed last night 'till You send for Me when I shall fly, I will never retract one Syllable I utter'd, or one thought I felt, Never will I sit tamely and see You My Dear friend Neglected or Insulted." He signs himself: "Ever Your Most Sincere and Affectionate Nelson." | In it, Nelson refers to what appears to be a disagreement the previous evening. "My Dear Lady," he writes, "I shall not come to Your house after what passed last night 'till You send for Me when I shall fly, I will never retract one Syllable I utter'd, or one thought I felt, Never will I sit tamely and see You My Dear friend Neglected or Insulted." He signs himself: "Ever Your Most Sincere and Affectionate Nelson." |
| The auction house has dated it to late 1801 or early 1802 based on the fact that he signed it Nelson, which would indicate it was after he took his seat in the House of Lords in November of that year. Previously he signed letters Bronte Nelson of the Nile and then Nelson of the Nile – after his stunning victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile. | The auction house has dated it to late 1801 or early 1802 based on the fact that he signed it Nelson, which would indicate it was after he took his seat in the House of Lords in November of that year. Previously he signed letters Bronte Nelson of the Nile and then Nelson of the Nile – after his stunning victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile. |
| It was one of the most turbulent periods of his life as his affair was well known. He was feted as a national hero on the one hand and ridiculed as "an infatuated dupe" of Hamilton on the other. | It was one of the most turbulent periods of his life as his affair was well known. He was feted as a national hero on the one hand and ridiculed as "an infatuated dupe" of Hamilton on the other. |
| Nelson eventually left his wife and chose to live with Emma and their daughter until his death in 1805. As the scandal unfolded, Nelson urged Emma to destroy the letters, as he largely did, but she did not and they were eventually published in 1814, contributing to her eventual downfall. | Nelson eventually left his wife and chose to live with Emma and their daughter until his death in 1805. As the scandal unfolded, Nelson urged Emma to destroy the letters, as he largely did, but she did not and they were eventually published in 1814, contributing to her eventual downfall. |
| Bonhams said the letter was "a delicate reminder of their love at the height of its devotion and is a rare living testament to their affair". | Bonhams said the letter was "a delicate reminder of their love at the height of its devotion and is a rare living testament to their affair". |
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