morning about five; and
as soon as he saw the Marshal, about six, "_Well_," said he, "_Marshal, I
think I have beat you at rising this morning_." Soon after, when he was
shifting, as he constantly did every morning betimes, "_Here_," said he to
his valet, "_take these sleeve-buttons, and wear them for my sake; your's
will do to be buried with_." Having directed that he should be put into
his coffin with his cloaths as he died: recollecting himself, he added,
"_But hold--as these buttons are gold, my giving them to you may be
doubted, and you may be drawn into a scrape_." Then desired the Marshal,
and one of his servants, might be called to witness the exchange.

He spent a considerable part of the morning in the state-room by himself:
then came out, and sat down with the Marshal, and breakfasted composedly,
as usual. His dress was a plain cloth suit, a light grey mixture, such as
he had always wore after he received his order of suspension in
_Gibraltar_-bay; having stripped off his uniform, which he immediately
threw into the sea, as soon as he had read that order.

At nine, when his friends came on board, in a familiar easy manner, he
took each by the hand, and obligingly inquired after their health: and
being informed that the quarter-deck was now the place appointed for his
execution, in consideration of his rank, he was greatly pleased at it. He
then spoke about an erasement in his will, which he had recollected;
mentioning the sheet, the number of the line from the top, and the words
erased. He expressed some uneasiness at that circumstance, and said, that
though he did not apprehend such a circumstance would occasion any dispute
amongst his relations, yet believing that erasement not mentioned as is
customary upon the will, he thought it proper something should be drawn
up, as an acknowlegment that the erasement was agreeable to his intention;
which being done in the manner he desired, he copied it himself, signed
it, and desired three gentlemen present to witness it.

After this the Admiral appeared satisfied, as if he had no farther
concerns to think of; and had the morning-service performed by the
chaplain of the _Monarque_.

The rest of his time was mostly spent in walking across the cabbin,
conversing sometimes with one friend, sometimes with another. He had
always declared that he would die with his face uncovered, and would give
the word of command to the platoon of marines himself; saying, "_As it is