52-577: Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander John Ball, 1st Baronet ( Italian : Alessandro Giovanni Ball , 22 July 1757 – 25 October 1809) was a Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator who served as the Civil Commissioner of Malta . He was born in Ebworth Park in Sheepscombe , Gloucestershire . He was the fourth son of Robert and Mary (Dickinson) Ball and the younger brother of Ingram Ball . Ball entered
104-652: A compromise. However, the increasingly precarious situation faced by King Ferdinand IV made Ball pass more powers to the British forces stationed in and around Malta. In fact, it was at this time that the Union Flag was flown for the first time alongside the Neapolitan flag. Nelson wrote to Ball in January 1799: "...Respecting the situation of Malta with the King of Naples , it is this – he
156-696: A diplomat, succeeding Sir James Gray as the British ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples . While in Italy, Hamilton became involved in studying local volcanoes and collecting antiquities, becoming a fellow of the Royal Society and being given the Copley Medal . His second wife was Emma Hamilton , who was famed as the mistress of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson . Hamilton was born on 13 December 1730 (or 12 January 1731) in either London or at Park Place, Berkshire ,
208-413: A future war?... I pity the poor Maltese; they have sustained an irreparable loss in your friendly counsel and an able director in their public concerns; you were truly their father, and, I agree with you, they may not like stepfathers.... Believe me at all times and places, for ever your sincere, affectionate, and faithful friend." The British were uncertain of their policy towards Malta, as with Napoleon on
260-742: A half years, at Merton with Emma, Nelson, and Mrs Cadogan, and in a house he leased in Piccadilly . He spent his time fishing on the River Thames, visiting his estates in Wales, selling paintings and vases, trying to get money owed to him by the government for his expenses in Naples, and attending his clubs, especially the Royal Society and the Dilettanti. He died on 6 April 1803 at his house in Piccadilly. He left Emma £800
312-756: A political backwater. But when France declared war on Britain in 1793 events in Naples became more turbulent, and Hamilton's role became more important, just as his health was declining. Nelson's fleet arrived in the Bay of Naples after defeating the French Fleet at the Battle of the Nile in August 1798 and Nelson was a guest of the Hamiltons. At the end of the year the King and Queen abandoned Naples as
364-659: A public position he had to ask the King's permission. The ceremony was a quiet one in St Marylebone Parish Church , taking place on 6 September 1791, two days before the couple's return to Naples. Emma signed the register as Amy Lyons; the witnesses were Hamilton's cousin the Marquess of Abercorn and Louis Dutens , who had been chaplain at Turin. The following day Hamilton was sworn of the Privy Council in 1791. For most of Hamilton's time as ambassador, Naples had been
416-474: A regular diary of notes and sketches of the volcano. Piaggio's diaries span the period 1779-1795. Hamilton was also interested in earthquakes. He visited Calabria and Messina after the earthquake of 1783 and wrote a paper for the Royal Society. The Hamiltons gave musical entertainments in which they played (William the violin, and Catherine the harpsichord or pianoforte) with some of their servants or professional musicians. During their tour of Italy in 1770,
468-574: A senior (and possibly retired) "full" admiral. William Hamilton (diplomat) Sir William Hamilton , KB , PC , FRS , FRSE (13 December 1730 – 6 April 1803) was a British diplomat, politician, antiquarian and vulcanologist who served as the Envoy Extraordinary to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764 to 1800. After sitting in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1761 to 1764, he began working as
520-517: A third period of leave in Britain. This time he visited his estates in Wales and went on a trip to Scotland with his nephew Charles Greville , who was a younger son of the Earl of Warwick and Hamilton's sister Elizabeth. When Hamilton made a will during that visit to Britain he made Greville his heir. In London, Hamilton met Emma Hart who at that time was Greville's mistress. On his return to Naples, Hamilton
572-609: A third period of leave, in 1783–84, he brought with him a Roman glass vase, which had once belonged to the Barberini family and which later became known as the Portland Vase . Hamilton had bought it from a dealer and sold it to the Duchess of Portland with the help of his niece Mary Hamilton, who was the duchess's literary friend. The cameo work on the vase again served as inspiration to Josiah Wedgwood, this time for his jasperware . The vase
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#1732844490721624-419: A vice admiral, who commanded the lead ships which would bear the brunt of a naval battle. In the rear of the naval squadron, a third admiral would command the remaining ships and, as this section of the squadron was considered to be in the least danger, the admiral in command of the rear would typically be the most junior of the squadron admirals. This has survived into the modern age, with the rank of rear admiral
676-470: A volume called Observations on Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna, and other volcanos . This was followed in 1776 by a collection of his letters on volcanoes, entitled Campi Phlegraei (Flaming fields, the name given by the Ancients to the area around Naples). The volume was illustrated by Pietro Fabris . Hamilton subsequently hired a priest, Padre Antonio Piaggio , who lived near the western slopes of Vesuvius to keep
728-500: A volume of engravings of his collection entitled Collection of Etruscan, Greek, and Roman antiquities from the cabinet of the Honble. Wm. Hamilton, His Britannick Maiesty's envoy extraordinary at the Court of Naples . The text was written by d'Hancarville with contributions by Johann Winckelmann . A further three volumes were produced in 1769–76. During his first leave in 1771 Hamilton arranged
780-422: A year, which included £100 a year for her mother, and small annuities for four servants in Naples. His estates in Wales, which were heavily mortgaged, were left to Greville. Nelson was left an enamel copy of a portrait of Emma by Élisabeth Vigée le Brun . Hamilton was buried beside his first wife at Slebech . Hamilton's life was fictionalised by Susan Sontag in her novel The Volcano Lover: A Romance . In
832-474: Is the legitimate Sovereign of the Island: therefore, I am of opinion his Flag should fly. At the same time, a Neapolitan garrison would betray it to the first man who would bribe him. I am sure the King would have no difficulty in giving his Sovereignty to England; and I have lately, with Sir William Hamilton , got a Note that Malta should never be given to any Power without the consent of England.... "P.S. – In case of
884-448: The Baltic on 4 June 1801: "My dear, invaluable friend,... believe me, my heart entertains the very warmest affection for you, and it has been no fault of mine, and not a little mortification, that you have not the red ribbon and other rewards that would have kept you afloat; but as I trust the war is at an end, you must take your flag when it comes to you, for who is to command our fleets in
936-592: The Battle of the Nile , and his ship, the Alexander , was the second British ship to fire on the French Admiral's flagship, L’Orient , which later blew up during the battle. Alexander Ball was an important figure in the diplomatic and military events that brought Malta under British rule . Universally loved by the Maltese , Ball visited the islands for the first time on 12 October 1798. Whenever Ball appeared in public,
988-513: The British Army and Royal Marines is major-general ; and in the Royal Air Force it is air vice-marshal . The rank originated in the 17th century, in the days of naval sailing squadrons when each naval squadron would be assigned an admiral as its head. The admiral would command from the centre vessel and direct the activities of the squadron. The admiral would in turn be assisted by
1040-631: The Plenipotentiary Minister of His British Majesty for the Order of Saint John to coordinate the departure of the British in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Amiens . The situation, however, changed quickly as the likelihood of war between Napoleonic France and the United Kingdom increased. Ball now received instructions to delay the evacuation of British troops from the island. Napoleon
1092-505: The Royal Navy , and on 7 August 1778, was promoted lieutenant. Three years later he began a close association with Sir George Rodney . Ball was promoted commander on 14 April 1782, two days after his chief's crowning victory , and took command of Germaine . On 20 March 1783 he became captain. With peace restored, Ball was furloughed on half-pay. He then spent a year in France , hoping to learn
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#17328444907211144-518: The 1941 movie That Hamilton Woman , the role of Sir William Hamilton was portrayed by Alan Mowbray . In the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm in Germany there is an island in a lake atop which is a model of Mount Vesuvius . Duke Leopold III of Anhalt-Dessau would stage fireworks that seemed to issue from an erupting volcano to entertain his guests. At the foot of the mountain on the island
1196-571: The British forces, represented by Captain George Martin and Major General Henry Pigot . As a representative of the Maltese people, Ball was not allowed to take part in the negotiations, while the Neapolitans were excluded for diplomatic reasons. The French were allowed to leave with full military honours, and after a few days Ball and the Maltese could enter the liberated capital . In February 1801 Ball
1248-734: The French Army advanced and fled to Palermo in Sicily. The Hamiltons went with them. In the summer of 1799 Naples was recaptured from the French and savage reprisals were enacted against those who had supported the Parthenopean Republic . Hamilton, together with the king and queen, and Nelson, remained in Palermo, except for a visit to the Bay of Naples in Foudroyant when he briefly went ashore. Hamilton
1300-413: The Hamiltons with a steady income. In 1761, Hamilton entered Parliament as Member for Midhurst . When he heard that the ambassador to the court of Naples, Sir James Gray , was likely to be promoted to Madrid, Hamilton expressed an interest in the position, and was duly appointed in 1764. Hamilton arrived in Naples on 17 November 1764 with the official title of Envoy Extraordinary to the Kingdom of
1352-512: The Maltese built a monument in the Lower Barrakka Gardens dedicated to Ball's memory. This neoclassical monument was restored in 1884, and again in 2001. Included: Rear admiral (Royal Navy) Rear admiral ( RAdm ) is a flag officer rank of the Royal Navy . It is immediately superior to commodore and is subordinate to vice admiral . It is a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7. The equivalent rank in
1404-573: The Surrender of Malta, I beg you will not do anything which can hurt the feelings of their Majesties. Unite their Flag with England’s, if it cannot, from the disposition of the Islanders, fly alone." The French forces besieged in Valletta faced starvation as the British navy intercepted a French relief force off Lampedusa Island. Eventually, General Vaubois , the commander of the French forces, surrendered to
1456-847: The Two Sicilies and would remain as ambassador to the court of Ferdinand and Maria Carolina until 1800, although from November 1798 he was based in Palermo , the court having moved there when Naples was threatened by the French Army. As ambassador, Hamilton was expected to send reports back to the Secretary of State every ten days or so, to promote Britain's commercial interests in Naples, and to keep open house for English travellers to Naples. These official duties left him plenty of time to pursue his interests in art, antiquities, and music, as well as developing new interests in volcanoes and earthquakes. Catherine, who had never enjoyed good health, began to recover in
1508-476: The abortive attack on Rochefort . The following year he left the Army, after having married Catherine Barlow, the daughter of Hugh Barlow, Member of Parliament for Pembroke Boroughs . The couple shared a love of music, and the marriage, which lasted until Catherine's death on 25 August 1782, was a happy one. There were no children. When Catherine's father died in 1763, she inherited his estates in Wales and these provided
1560-400: The eventual French surrender, their island would have to find another ruler, since no Maltese in the nineteenth-century considered independence. The fear of the return of the increasingly oppressive Order of St. John may have pushed Malta indirectly toward becoming a British protectorate . In a letter sent by one of the Maltese leaders to Ball, written by Vincenzo Borg , the Maltese expressed
1612-724: The fourth son of Lord Archibald Hamilton (1673–1754), Governor of Jamaica , and Lady Jane Hamilton (before 1704–1753), daughter of the 6th Earl of Abercorn (near 1661–1734). His father was the seventh son of William, Duke of Hamilton and 1st Earl of Selkirk (1634–1694), and Anne, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton (1632–1716). His mother was a favourite, and possibly a mistress, of the Prince of Wales and William grew up with his son George III , who would call him his "foster brother". At age nine, he went to Westminster School , where he made lifelong friends of Frederick, 4th Earl of Bristol , and David, 2nd Earl of Mansfield . Hamilton used to say that he
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1664-628: The jurisdiction of the British. Sir Alexander Ball was possibly the British leader most loved by the Maltese population. Samuel Taylor Coleridge became an assistant to Ball in 1804 and later described his administration in The Friend , going as far as describing Ball as "a truly great man". Ball died in the San Anton Palace on 25 October 1809 and was buried in Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta. In 1810,
1716-602: The language and live economically. Captain Horatio Nelson was at this time by no means favourably impressed by his future friend and comrade, and described Ball as a "great coxcomb". In 1790, Ball received a command and from then on he was continuously employed. In May 1798, Ball commanded HMS Alexander in the Mediterranean . Once when Nelson's HMS Vanguard had lost her fore- and topmasts, Ball towed Vanguard to Sardinia. Under Nelson's command, Ball took part in
1768-728: The mild climate of Naples. Their main residence was the Palazzo Sessa, where they hosted official functions and where Hamilton housed his growing collection of paintings and antiquities; they also had a small villa on the seashore at Posillipo (later it would be called Villa Emma), a house at Portici , Villa Angelica, from where he could study Mount Vesuvius , and a house at Caserta near the Royal Palace . Hamilton began collecting Greek vases and other antiquities as soon as he arrived in Naples, obtaining them from dealers or other collectors, or even opening tombs himself. In 1766–67 he published
1820-642: The most gentle and virtuous companion that ever man was blessed with". Pagan Fertility Studies Hamilton had discovered in the province of Abruzzi evidence of a fertility cult involving phallus worship. He reported his findings to the Society of Dilitettenti, of which he was a member. In 1783 he published some of those findings in a slim volume, The Worship of Priapus: An account of the fete of St. Cosmo and Damiano celebrated at Isernia in 1780... These writings were condemned for their mixture of sexual and religious ideas. A year after his wife's death Hamilton had
1872-463: The most junior of the admiralty ranks of many navies. Prior to 1864 the Royal Navy was divided into coloured squadrons which determined career path . The command flags flown by a rear-admiral changed a number of times during this period. The Royal Navy rank of rear admiral should be distinguished from the office of Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom , which is an Admiralty position usually held by
1924-627: The name of Mrs Cadogan, and who would live with Emma and Hamilton until she died in 1810. The women were installed in an apartment in the Palazzo Sessa, and provided with a carriage and wardrobes. Tutors were hired to give Emma lessons in Italian and singing. It was some months though before Emma accepted the fact that Greville was not going to join her in Naples or send for her to go back to England. At that point she decided to become Hamilton's mistress. Hamilton and Emma married five years later, when Hamilton obtained leave of three months in Britain. As he held
1976-559: The passers-by in the streets stood uncovered until he had passed; the clamours of the market-place were hushed at his entrance and then exchanged for shouts of joy and welcome. His mission was to sustain and continue the siege and blockade of the French forces in Malta, aided by certain Portuguese naval forces . The Maltese leaders of the blockade were immediately attracted by Ball's charisma and sympathy. Moreover, they might have realised that after
2028-601: The rise they could not afford problems with their allies. The choice of Charles Cameron as Civil Commissioner in May 1801 did not remove these uncertainties, even though his presence assured the Maltese of the protection of the Empire . When the Treaty of Amiens placed Malta again under the rule of the Knights of St. John , this assurance was dashed. Ball was made a baronet on 6 June 1801. The British government then sent him back to Malta as
2080-714: The sale of his collection to the British Museum for £8,410. Josiah Wedgwood the potter drew inspiration from the reproductions in Hamilton's volumes. During this first leave, in January 1772, Hamilton became a Knight of the Order of the Bath and the following month was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries . In 1777, during his second leave to England, he became a member of the Society of Dilettanti . When Hamilton returned to England for
2132-531: The second collection was catalogued for sale at auction at Christie's when at the eleventh hour Thomas Hope stepped in and purchased the collection of mostly South Italian vases. Soon after Hamilton arrived in Naples, Mount Vesuvius began to show signs of activity and in the summer of 1766 he sent an account of an eruption, together with drawings and samples of salts and sulphurs, to the Royal Society in London. On
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2184-458: The strength of this paper he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In the autumn of 1767 there was an even greater eruption and again Hamilton sent a report to the Royal Society. The two papers were published as an article in the Society's journal Philosophical Transactions . The Royal Society awarded him the Copley Medal in 1770 for his paper, "An Account of a Journey to Mount Etna ". In 1772 he published his writings on both volcanoes in
2236-451: The wish to Ball that the vast majority of us wish to see the islands fall under English jurisdiction . The destiny of Malta was to be decided by the events occurring in Europe during this period. Napoleon 's troops succeeded in entering Naples itself, forcing King Ferdinand IV to flee the city with his family. For the Maltese this meant that only Britain could guarantee Malta's safety. It
2288-411: The young Mozart and his father were introduced to the Hamiltons. Catherine played the harpsichord for Mozart, and he said he found her performance "uncommonly moving". Another musical visitor was the music historian Charles Burney , who stayed at Villa Angelica at Portici and was helped by Hamilton with his research. Burney thought that Catherine Hamilton was the best harpsichord player in Naples. When
2340-454: The young Irish singer Michael Kelly arrived in Naples, he was introduced to the Court by Hamilton. The young Irish composer Thomas Carter also stayed with him around 1788. Catherine Hamilton died in August 1782; her body was returned to Britain for burial in the Barlow vault at the old Slebech parish church. Hamilton wrote to his niece Mary: "I must for ever feel the loss of the most amiable
2392-571: Was anxious for the moment to see the British out of the Grand Harbour , stating that he would prefer to see the British in possession of a Parisian suburb than of Malta. In May 1803 war was rejoined because of the British refusal to evacuate the islands. After the Napoleonic Wars , through the Treaty of Paris of 1814 , as ratified by the Congress of Vienna , Malta and all its dependencies passed under
2444-455: Was anxious to return to Britain. At the beginning of 1800 Sir Arthur Paget was sent out to replace him and the Hamiltons and Nelson returned overland to England. By this time Emma and Nelson were lovers. They landed at Great Yarmouth on 31 October 1800. The relationship between Hamilton, Emma and Nelson was already causing a scandal and Hamilton was caricatured in cartoons by James Gillray . Hamilton would live in retirement for another two and
2496-441: Was appointed commissioner of the navy at Gibraltar and had to leave Malta. Control passed to Major General Henry Pigot , whose tyrannical administration angered the Maltese, a fact noted in a letter Ball wrote to Nelson in June of the same year. Ball reported that the Maltese would have rebelled against Pigot had Ball not promised them that he would convey their grievances to the authorities. Nelson himself wrote back to Ball from
2548-407: Was at this stage that problems emerged between the supporters of the Neapolitans and those preferring the Royal Navy. Captain Alexander Ball succeeded in calming the situation, and this led to his eventual election as the President of the National Assembly that took place on 9 February 1799. According to Ball's wishes, the Assembly changed its name to National Congress in order to emphasise the need for
2600-401: Was born with an ancient name and a thousand pounds; as a younger son he would have to make his own way in life. So, six weeks after his sixteenth birthday, he was commissioned into the 3rd Foot Guards as an ensign. He spent some time with the regiment in the Netherlands , and advanced to lieutenant in 1753. In September 1757, he was present as aide-de-camp to General Henry Seymour Conway at
2652-410: Was eventually bought by the British Museum. He was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1792. In 1798, as Hamilton was about to leave Naples, he packed up his art collection and a second vase collection and sent them back to England. A small part of the second vase collection went down with HMS Colossus off the Scilly Isles. The surviving part of
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#17328444907212704-402: Was lonely. "After having lived 22 years en famille it is most terrible to live chiefly alone", he wrote to his niece. Meanwhile, Greville, who wanted to search for a wealthy wife, was hatching a plan to persuade his uncle to take Emma off his hands. Somewhat reluctantly Hamilton agreed to the plan and Emma arrived in Naples on her 21st birthday, 26 April 1786. With her was her mother, who went by
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