The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
A venerable clergyman, apparently between seventy and eighty years of
age, was perceived one morning by his lordship, with a large book under
his arm, anxiously looking towards the door of his apartment, with the
most expressive solicitude depicted in his countenance. His lordship,
immediately, with his ever prompt kindness and humanity, desired Mr.
Oliver to enquire what was the object of his wish. Having learned, that
he was the pastor of a place forty miles distant, who had travelled thus
far with his parochial bible, in the first leaf of which he wanted the
immortal hero to inscribe his name, his lordship instantly admitted him
into his presence; readily complied with his request; and then, taking
him kindly by the hand, heartily wished the patriarchal and spiritual
shepherd a safe return to his rural flock. The aged and pious minister
suddenly dropped on his knee: fervently imploring Heaven to bless his
lordship, for so generously condescending to indulge his wish; and
solemnly declaring that he should now be happy till it pleased God to
call him, when he would die contented, having thus done homage to, and
obtained favour from, "_the Saviour of the Christian World_."
Another circumstance, of still greater singularity, occurred at
Hamburgh, relative to a wine-merchant. This gentleman, who was likewise
more than seventy years of age, and of a very respectable appearance,
had requested to speak with Lady Hamilton. Her ladyship, accordingly,
condescendingly admitted him to a private audience; when he informed
her, through the medium of Mr. Oliver, who interpreted for both parties,
that he had some excellent old Rhenish wine, of the vintage of 1625, and
which had been in his own possession more than fifty years. This, he
said, had been preserved for some very extraordinary 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
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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