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"MY PURCHASE OF A LITTLE FARM AT MERTON": Nelson raises the money to buy his 'Paradise Merton' and bemoans the price of celebrity.
Nelson paid £9,000 for his country retreat at Merton Place, somewhere he could escape from society with his unconventional ménage of Sir William and Emma Hamilton and where they could be visited by an eight-month old 'god-daughter', Horatia. 'He wrote to Emma about the happy life they would have at Merton: "We will eat plain, but will have good wine, and a hearty welcome for all our friends"' (Merton Historical Society pamphlet, Nelson at Merton).
Fresh from his triumph at the Battle of Copenhagen in April 1801 and newly created Viscount Nelson of the Nile and Burnham Thorpe, Nelson was feted throughout London and found himself under obligation to maintain the extravagant lifestyle expected of him. This took a heavy toll on his finances and he was only able to purchase Merton through the generosity of his friend Alexander Davison. Our letter is not published in Nicolas' Dispatches and Letters of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, vol. iv, but a letter to Davison written from the Amazon the day before thanks him for his 'very friendly offer of assisting me in purchasing the farm. It is true, it will take every farthing I have in the world', and echoes almost word for word the bitter complaints expressed here (Nicolas, p.489).