He himself particularly wished the alteration in the despatch not to be told at the time; but, as the story crept out somehow, it seems very material that the facts should be well authenticated.

When the circumstance was mentioned to Sir Samuel Hood many years afterwards, by the friend from whom I have received authority to state it, he confessed that it was so; but exclaimed,-- "How the devil could all this have got wind ?--I never mentioned it before to a living soul." As there is hardly any professional anecdote which retains its freshness of interest more entire than the memorable parley above described between Nelson and Hood, on the eve of the battle of the Nile, I venture to give another version of it, which is substantially the same, and is calculated to confirm, in a pleasing manner, all that is essential.

The following particulars I have been favoured with by Captain Webley Parry, then first lieutenant of the Zealous.
When steering for the enemy's fleet, Sir Horatio Nelson hailed the Zealous, and asked Captain Hood if he thought he might venture to bear up round the shoals.

The answer was,-- "I cannot say, sir; but if you will allow me the honour of leading into action, I will keep the lead going." "You have my permission, and I wish you good luck," was the reply; and, as Nelson said this, he took off his hat.

Captain Hood, in his hurry to return the courtesy of his admiral, dropped his hat overboard.