"The Emperor assumed the title of Divus or Divine, not of his own desire, but because it was forced upon him by a credulous¹ people."—Suetonius, Lives of the C?sars.

This story, which you may believe or not as you like, was told me by my friend Mr Peter Thomson of "Jessieville," Maxwell Avenue, Strathbungo, whom I believe to be a man incapable² of mendacity, or, indeed, of imagination. He is a prosperous and retired³ ship's captain, dwelling⁴ in the suburbs of Glasgow, who plays two rounds of golf every day of the week, and goes twice every Sunday to a pink, new U. F. Church. You may often see his ample figure, splendidly habited in broadcloth and finished off with one of those square felt hats which are the Scottish emblem⁵ of respectability, moving sedately⁶ by Mrs Thomson's side down the avenue of "Balmorals" and "Bellevues" where dwell the aristocracy of Strathbungo. It was[Pg 287] not there that I met him, however, but in a Clyde steamboat going round the Mull, where I spent a comfortless night on my way to a Highland⁷ fishing. It was blowing what he called "a wee bit o' wind," and I could not face the odorous bunks⁸ which opened on the dining-room. Seated abaft¹⁰ the funnel¹¹, in an atmosphere of ham-and-eggs, bilge, and fresh western breezes, he revealed his heart to me, and this I found in it.

"About the age of forty"—said Mr Thomson—"I was captain of the steamer Archibald McKelvie, 1,700 tons burthen, belonging to Brock, Rattray, and Linklater, of Greenock. We were principally engaged in the China trade, but made odd trips into the Malay Archipelago and once or twice to Australia. She was a handy bit boat, and I'll not deny that I had many mercies

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