Description
Autograph Letter Signed ‘Wm Hoste’, to his father, the Revd. Dixon Hoste, at Godwick Hall, Norfolk, rejoicing to find “the old ship [HMS Amphion] ready once more for sea service – and I am in great glee at the prospect of a good cruize”, discussing letters to and from home, news of George, now a favourite in the Army (”Sir J.Moore likes him much”), not expecting to see England until September 1807, asking for letters, remembrances to Mr. Coke, etc. 4 pp. 9 x 7 inches, address panel and postal markings, in good clean condition, one clean tear at seal opening only. [HMS Amphion] Malta, 27 December 1806. A great letter from Captain Sir William Hoste (1780-1828) who entered the navy under Nelson’s patronage. Hoste was one of the great frigate captains of the Napoleonic wars, taking part in six major actions, including the Battle of Lissa (1811). Tom Pocock, in his biography of Hoste (Remember Nelson, 1977, p.131) includes a brief quotation from this letter: “I am in great glee at the prospect of a good cruise, for, to tell you the truth, a prize is now so scarce an article that I begin to want pewter [naval slang for prize money] most terribly.” Hoste expresses his deep affection for his father: “… believe me, my dear father, I have more real happiness in finding one word of praise (because it is not humbug) from you, than in all the Newspaper nonsense they can write and they do not seem to have been sparing of that,” “God bless you, my dear Father, remember me to all friends, not forgetting the old dame in the Nursery, & believe your ever affectionate Son, W.Hoste.”