Martinsburg Gazette And Public Advertiser

Presentiment of Death.—A correspondent of the London Times, of 1st March, gives the following interesting relation of a scene in which Nelson and our West are the chief figures, and which evinced forcibly the impression (known from other circumstances to have been entertained by Lord Nelson previous to the battle of Trafalgar) that his death was imminent. The Times in reply to a sceptic, as to the authenticity of this story, because, at the time referred to, Lord Nelson had only one arm,—admits that there may be trifling inaccuracy in the detail, but vouches for the general truth of the statement. It is, taken altogether, quite an interesting one:

[From a Correspondent of the London Times.]

We have heard of many instances of unaccountable forebodings of misfortune or the loss of life, but few can claim so peculiar an interest, from the pre-eminent fame of the individual concerned, as the following:—it may not be generally known, but it is a fact, that the hero of our anecdote—"the immortal Nelson"—was a little tinctured with superstition; and this was evinced in a very singular manner, during a visit of his to Fonthill Abbey, just after being appointed to the command of the Channel fleet. On this occasion in compliment to his distinguished guest, the splendid proprietor arrayed his numerous domestics in the most expensive dresses, and presented a scene of magnificence and taste scarce equalled but in the fairy dreams of the Arabian Nights' Entertainment. Many individuals, distinguished by science and taste, were also invited to partake of the luxuries, and delights of an entertainment the most superb, as pictured to the writer by one of its most distinguished ornaments, the venerable and meritorious President West, who, amongst many others, assembled to meet the gallant warrior, became himself, by an incidental circumstance, one of the chief sources of interest to the party. The company had not risen from the dessert on the first day, when his Lordship, who sat next to West, said to him, "Much as I respect your great talents, my pursuits in life have been such as to render me incapable of appreciating the merits of works of art; yet I never pass a printshop in which I see the print from your picture of the death of General Wolfe, that my attention is not immediately arrested, and sentiments of almost envy created in my bosom—at the glorious death of that great man." Mr. West would naturally feel pleased at such a compliment and from such a quarter, and immediately replied—"If ever it should be the misfortune of the country to lose your Lordship's great services, which from your adventurous life is not impossible, although it shall be, as far as my humble abilities extend, a religious duty with me to perpetuate your great name and gallant exploits." Nelson for a moment paused, as if some sudden impression had come across his mind, and then taking West's hand in one of his own, with the other he filled both their glasses to the brim, which being mutually drank, he emphatically said, "West remember your promise!" Here the conversation became general, and the party were about leaving the table, when a servant entered and announced, that a despatch had just arrived from the Admiralty. This was an order for Lord Nelson to join the Channel fleet without the smallest delay. Immediately all was confusion. Instant orders were given for the carriages to be bro't to the great entrance, and in less than an hour his lordship was seated, bidding adieus and shaking hands with his host and friends, who had followed him to take a last farewell. The postillions were just starting when he called to Mr. West again, to give him his hand, and his last words were, "West, remember your promise."—The battle of Trafalgar was fought, and Nelson died, like Wolfe, the death of a hero, in the arms of victory.

How well Mr. West has kept his promise, his fine painting of his Lordship's death, and the stupendous monumental piece of sculpture erected to his memory in one of the courts of Greenwich Hospital, will amply testify. This latter work was executed by Mr. West's own hand, and at his own expense.