24 MARCH 1967, Page 28

Hero

Sir: With reference to J. W. M. Thompson's 'Spectator's Notebook' in your 10 March issue, Nelson lost the sight of his right eye at the siege of Calvi, which was some years before the Battle of the Nile.

C. R. Purnell Borleys, Abberton, Colchester, Essex 1. W. M. Thompson writes: Mr Purnell has misread what I wrote. I referred to the head wound which Nelson received at the Battle of the Nile; this left a scar over his blind eye, which is visible in the National Portrait Gallery's newly-acquired painting.