“At page 6 of Salmonia,” said Dr. Gooch, “it is stated that ’Nelson was a good fly-fisher, and continued the pursuit even with his left hand.’  I can add that one of his reasons for regretting the loss of his right arm was that it deprived him of the power of pursuing this amusement efficiently, as is shown by the following incident, which is, I think, worth preserving in that part of his history which relates to his talents as a fly-fisher.  I was at the Naval Hospital at Yarmouth on the morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having sent the wounded before him), arrived in the Roads and landed on the Jetty.  The populace soon surrounded him, and the military were drawn up in the marketplace ready to receive him; but making his way through the crowd, and the dust and the clamour, he went straight to the Hospital.  I went round the wards with him, and was much interested in observing his demeanour to the sailors.  He stopped at every bed, and to every man he had something kind and cheering to say.  At length he stopped opposite a bed in which a sailor was lying who had lost his right arm close to the shoulder joint, and the following short dialogue passed between them. Nelson:  ‘Well, Jack, what’s the matter with you?’ Sailor:  ’Lost my right arm, your Honour.’  Nelson paused, looked down at his own empty sleeve, then at the sailor, and then said playfully, ’Well, Jack, then you and I are spoiled for fishermen; but cheer up, my brave fellow.’  He then passed quickly on to the next bed, but these few words had a magical effect upon the poor fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with delight as Nelson turned away and pursued his course through the wards.  This was the only occasion on which I ever saw Lord Nelson.”

In the summer of 1828 Mr. Lockhart went down to Brighton, accompanied by Sir Walter Scott, Miss Scott, Mrs. Lockhart and her son John—­the Littlejohn to whom Scott’s charming “Tales of a Grandfather,” which were at that time in course of publication, had been addressed.  It was on the boy’s account the party went to Brighton; he was very ill and gradually sinking.

While at Brighton, Lockhart had an interview with the Duke of Wellington, and wrote to Murray on the subject.

Mr. Lockhart to John Murray. May 18, 1828.

“I have a message from the D. of W. to say that he, on the whole, highly approves the paper on foreign politics, but has some criticisms to offer on particular points, and will send for me some day soon to hear them.  I have of course signified my readiness to attend him any time he is pleased to appoint, and expect it will be next week.”

That the Duke maintained his interest in the Quarterly is shown by a subsequent extract: 

Mr. Lockhart to John Murray.

AUCHENRAITH, January 19, 1829.

“Sir Walter met me here yesterday, and he considered the Duke’s epistle as an effort of the deepest moment to the Quarterly and all concerned.  He is sure no minister ever gave a more distinguished proof of his feeling than by this readiness to second the efforts of a literary organ.  Therefore, no matter about a week sooner or later, let us do the thing justice.”