THE BATTLE OF NAVARINO.
[To TEN EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—When Sir William Harcourt, in the House of Commons, -quoted the well-known official description of the battle of Navarino as an "untoward event," I suppose it was not in Accordance with the dignity of the place and occasion to add the story that has also often been told, I know not with what truth, that the Duke of Clarence—(William IV.) then head of the Admiralty—in forwarding the official despatch from "my Lords" to Sir Edward Codrington forbidding him to attack the Turkish fleet, after signing it with the usual formality, wrote on the other side of the paper with his own hand " Go it, Ned ! " I would fain hope that the " Powers," whose Concert is made so much of, and seems to do so little, are following the same plan, in putting blind eyes to their telescopes when the Greeks are landing. It would do something to make us a little less ashamed of ourselves if this is so. At any rate, I do not believe that there are a dozen Englishmen to be found who do not heartily admire the -splendid imprudence of the King of the Hellenes, by which, at any rate, he has forced the hands of the " Powers,"—and -wish him and his gallant people " God speed."—I am, Sir, &e.,
E. S. SHUCKSURGH.
Grantchester, Cambridge, February 10th.
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