While Lord Nelson remained at Hamburgh, he received, one morning, a very extraordinary visit.  An Englishman, of gentlemanly address, called on his lordship, and requested to speak with him in private.  Sir William Hamilton, conceiving the stranger’s appearance to be suspicious, particularly as he held one hand under his coat, advised his lordship not to withdraw.  Our hero replied that, though he had never before differed with Sir William in opinion, he must decidedly do so now.  He felt conscious, be said, that he had done no ill; and, therefore, dreaded none.  He then, with firmness, bade the stranger follow him into another apartment; who soon gave his lordship to understand, that he was no less a personage, than the famous Major Semple, of swindling notoriety.  With a considerable degree of feeling, he detailed his miserable situation:  an outcast from society; in the deepest distress; avoided, and despised, by every body.  Lord Nelson protested, that he had not expected the honour of such a visit; but, nevertheless, returning to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and mentioning who it was, kindly asked—­“What shall we do for the poor devil?” They accordingly gave him, between them, a purse of twenty guineas:  his lordship tenderly remarking, that he seemed a man of talents; who had, probably, from some first error of early life, unchecked by friendly advice or assistance, finally sunk into a state of, perhaps, irrecoverable ignominy.

His lordship, on arriving at Hamburgh, had written for a frigate, to convey him and his friends to England; but, as it was not sent, he hired a packet at Cuxhaven, which was sent up the river, as far as the villa of Mr. Power, about five miles from Hamburgh:  where the party embarked; and, after a voyage of five days, in very stormy weather, arrived off Yarmouth, on Thursday the 6th of November.

A pilot immediately came out, on beholding them in the offing; but, awed by his sense of danger, and the consideration of who and what were on board, he was afraid to undertake getting the vessel in.  Lord Nelson, who thought a seaman ought not to fear any thing, asked him if it were not his trade; and, immediately ordering him a glass of liquor, said it would inspirit him to take the ship over the bar, where the pilot had expressed his opinion there was by no means a sufficient depth of water.  His lordship, however, was resolved that the experiment should be tried:  and, accordingly, they got safely into the harbour; though not without a considerable degree of that horrible grating of the ship’s bottom, while forcing it’s way through the sands, which so often thrills those who navigate this perilous road.  The weather being bad, his lordship and friends, on landing, went into a carriage; from which the shouting multitude, who had hailed his arrival, instantly detached the horses, and drew them to the Wrestlers Inn.  All the ships in the harbour hoisted their colours, and every honour was paid to his lordship