ced to Buonaparte by General Bertrand, in the after-cabin,
where he had a good deal of conversation with them: he showed his
portable library, which was laid out in small travelling cases round
the cabin; asked various questions, principally relative to the
discipline and regulation of our ships of war, and finally invited
them all to remain to dinner.

Dinner was served about five o'clock upon Buonaparte's plate. This was
arranged by his Maitre d'Hotel, whom I had told to regulate every
thing in the manner most likely to be agreeable to his master.

When dinner was announced, Buonaparte, viewing himself as a Royal
personage, which he continued to do while on board the Bellerophon,
and which, under the circumstances, I considered it would have been
both ungracious and uncalled for in me to have disputed, led the way
into the dining-room. He seated himself in the centre at one side of
the table, requesting Sir Henry Hotham to sit at his right hand, and
Madame Bertrand on his left. For that day I sat as usual at the head
of the table, but on the following day, and every other, whilst
Buonaparte remained on board, I sat by his request at his right hand,
and General Bertrand took the top. Two of the ward-room officers dined
daily at the table, by invitation from Buonaparte, conveyed through
Count Bertrand.

He conversed a great deal, and showed no depression of spirits: among
other things, he asked me where I was born. I told him, in Scotland.
"Have you any property there?" said he. "No, I am a younger brother,
and they do not bestow much on people of that description in
Scotland." "Is your elder brother a Lord?" "No, Lord Lauderdale is the
head of our family." "Ah! you are a relation of Lord Lauderdale's! he
is an acquaintance of mine, he was sent Ambassador from your King to
me, when Mr Fox was Prime Minister: had Mr Fox lived, it never would
have come to this, but his death put an end to all hopes of peace.
Milord Lauderdale est un bon garcon;" adding, "I think you resemble
him a little, though he is dark and you are fair."[7]

[Footnote 7: [It was an odd idea that you should be like Lord
Lauderdale.--SCOTT.]]

When dinner was over, a cup of strong coffee was handed round; he then
rose and went into the after-cabin, asking the Admiral and all the
party to accompany him, the ladies among the rest. This was the only
time I ever saw them in the apartment in which he slept.

After some conversation,