DON'T KILL LORD NELSON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2379, 8 October 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

DON'T KILL LORD NELSON.

The following interesting letter was contributed to the Sussex Express for loth December, 1840 ; “Anecdote of Nelson.—Sir,—The late Rear-Admiral, Anselm John Griffiths, with whom I was very intimate, related to me the following anecdote, which, as it relates to the darling hero of Britain, may be interesting to your readers : The Admiral (at that time Captain Griffiths), when commanding a frigate, fell in with the Victory, having the lifeless body of Nelson on board, and another line of battle ship, steering for England. Captain Griffiths went on board tlie line of battle ship, where the captain presented him with a sheep. Ho then went on hoard the Victory. ‘ Well Griffiths,’ said Captain Hardy, ‘how are you oil for live stock ?’ And Captain Griffiths informing him that he had no fresh meat on hoard he gave him a sheep belonging to Nelson’s own private stock. The line of battle ship’s sheep was killed directly on board the frigate, and when that had been consumed it was Nelson’s sheep’s turn to be slaughtered. Captain Griffiths, while pacing the quarter-deck, observed the ship’s butcher loitering about as if wishing to speak to him, though afraid to do so. 1 Well, my man,’ said the Captain, ‘what do you want?’ Upon this the man answered, 1 We hope, sir, you will not kill Lord Nelson,’ ‘ What do you mean ?’ said the Captain; ‘Nelson is dead already’ * Why,’ said the man, ‘ wo hope you will not kill Nelson’s sheep, which wo call Lord Nelson.’ ‘ Why, what shall I do for fresh meat,’ said the Captain, ‘ as the other sheep is all eaten ?’ ‘ Well, sir,’ said the man, ‘ tho crew will be very much obliged if you do not kill the sheep.’ ‘ Well then, 1 will not have it killed,’ said the Captain. Upon this the man ran down below to tell the crew, and immediately a general and universal cheer ascended the hatchways. Tho erew made a great pot of the animal, and upon the frigate’s arrival at Portsmouth Captain Griffiths wrote to Mr Henty, of Tarring, near Worthing, to offer him the sheep, with a proviso that lie should preserve it alive. The loyal Mr Henty sent a cart to fetch it from Portsmouth, and a crowd assembled to see the sheep hind. The sheep lived for 1G years upon Mr Hcnty’s farm, and 'the visitors of Worthing used to go to see the animal that once belonged to the immortal and illustrious Nelson.—A.Z.