lip Somerville,[2] then a
lieutenant on board the _Wellesley_, describes the closing scenes.

[Footnote 2: Admiral Somerville married Mary Stuart, eldest
daughter of David Maitland Makgill Crichton of Rankeilour,
and grand-niece of Sir Frederick. I am indebted for the use
of this letter to the courtesy of his son, Mr D. M. M.
Crichton Somerville.]

* * * * *

"On our arrival at Bombay, Nov. 3," he writes, "the tents had not been
pitched more than a week or so, and the one fitted by the Government
for the Admiral was so very large that, after our arrival, he had to
remain for some days on board ship ere it was ready. You may fancy
the state the ground was in after five months' heavy rain,--the chill
and damp scarcely possible to describe,--evaporation of course
following the excessive heat of the day. A week had scarcely passed
ere he felt its effects, but he could say nothing. On the 15th
November I dined with him on shore. He seemed then tolerably well. On
Sunday, 17th, he visited the ship, and returned to his tent. On the
18th he dined with her Majesty's 6th Regiment, and complained a little
that day. The 21st, he was out to see our sailors and marines
exercising. The complaint from that time made rapid progress.
Saturday, 23rd, Lady Maitland went to a large party, but returned to
the Admiral very early. Sunday 24th and Monday 25th he was dangerously
ill; 26th and 27th, rather easier. Preparations were made for going to
sea. On the 28th, the poor old fellow was brought off and hoisted on
board in a palankeen. I saw him for a moment. Poor Sir Frederick lay
with his head thrown back, his mouth a little open, his cheeks sunk,
and his whole frame totally changed. He was conveyed to his cabin. We
immediately got under way. All gloom, and solemn silence prevailed. I
daresay some at least were in deep thought, some thinking of his
former prosperity, others of the money he had made; perhaps some
thought of the happy and honourable day on which Bonaparte
surrendered. After lingering until Saturday the 30th, at 11.45 he
expired. One can scarcely conceive the sensation caused by the
mournful event. The countenances of all evinced deep sorrow for their
chief, a man who was looked up to by all who knew him, and greatly
beloved by those under his command....

"On Monday morning, preparations having been made the previous day,
the troops of the garrison