occasion; and one had now arrived, far beyond any he could ever have expected.  In short, he flattered himself that, by the kind recommendation of her ladyship, the great and glorious Lord Nelson might be prevailed onto accept six dozen bottles of this incomparable wine:  part of which, he observed, would then have the honour to flow with the heart’s blood of that immortal hero; a reflection which could not fail to render himself the most fortunate man in existence, during the remainder of his days.  His lordship being informed of these curious particulars, immediately came into the apartment, and took the old gentleman kindly by the hand, but politely declined his present.  He was, however, finally persuaded to accept of six bottles, on condition that the worthy wine-merchant should dine with him next day.  This being readily agreed, a dozen bottles were sent; and his lordship, jocosely remarking that he yet hoped to have half a dozen more great victories, protested he would keep six bottles of his Hamburgh friend’s wine, purposely to drink a bottle after each.  This his lordship did not fail to remember, on coming home, after the battle of Copenhagen; when he “devoutly drank the donor.”  It is said, that this winemerchant, soon after Lord Nelson had first taken him by the hand, happening to meet with an old friend, who was about to salute him in a similar way, immediately declined the intended kindness, and said he could not suffer any person to touch the hand which had been so highly honoured by receiving that of Lord Nelson.  Certain it is, that this man felt so overcome by his excessive sensibility, that he literally shed tears of joy during the whole time he was in our hero’s presence.

At a grand public breakfast, given to Lord Nelson and his friends, by Baron Berteuil, formerly the French ambassador at the court of Naples, the celebrated General Dumourier was introduced to his lordship.  Lord Nelson, notwithstanding his general aversion to Frenchmen, had a favourable opinion of this able and intelligent officer; and said to him, that he hoped they should both, in future, fight hand in hand for the good cause:  adding, as there was then some prospect of General Dumourier’s being employed in the British service, that there was no person, if we were to have joint operations by sea and land, with whom he would sooner act.  The general was so overpowered by this generosity and grandeur of soul in our hero, that he could only articulate—­“Great Nelson! brave Nelson!  I am unable to speak.  I cannot make any reply to your goodness!” His lordship, finding the circumstances of General Dumourier very humble, for a man of his merits, kindly sent him a weighty purse, next day, by Mr. Oliver, to whom the general feelingly expressed the utmost thankfulness.