ANECDOTE OF SIR THOMAS PICTON. 41 



battle of Orthes. Picton invited him to dinner, 

 when, although much debilitated, he accepted the 

 general's invitation. He was taken ill whilst at 

 table, and was compelled to retire ; Picton would 

 not, however, allow him to leave the house, but in- 

 sisted upon his taking up his quarters in his own 

 apartment, and sent at once for his baggage. In a 

 few days after this. Sir Thomas Picton embarked 

 for England, but before he departed he recom- 

 mended Macpherson to the care of Lord Dalhousie, 

 who was then commanding the British troops in the 

 town. 



Macpherson neither saw nor heard anything more 

 of General Picton for some time. He applied to 

 the War Office for a company, supporting his ap- 

 plication by a memorial, which recorded a list of 

 services that equalled those of any officer of his 

 years, and surpassed those of many a veteran ; 

 and upon this he depended for success ; but a cold 

 official reply was the only notice taken of either his 

 letter or memorial. 



The young soldier felt acutely this neglect, and, in 

 consequence, actually contemplated retiring from the 

 army. About this period, as he was walking one 

 day along Pall Mall, he saw Sir Thomas Picton 

 coming towards him, with several other officers. 

 This was some months after his departure from Bor- 

 deaux. Macpherson hesitated to address his gene- 

 ral : he thouo;ht, to use his own words, ^^ that now 

 Sir Thomas Picton was in London, surrounded by 

 so many men of equal rank, he would wish to avoid 

 a humble lieutenant.'' Accordingly, as the general 

 approached, he made no attempt to stop him. 

 Picton had not apparently seen him, for he was 

 deeply engaged in conversation ; and Macpherson was 

 passing him, as he thought, unnoticed. But Picton 

 seized his arm, and in his sharp though friendly 



manner, exclaimed, " D e, sir 1 are you going 



to cut me ?" The lieutenant was startled ; but im- 

 mediately collecting himself, bowed and observed, 

 VOL. vn. — 1836. p 



