27 FEBRUARY 1904, Page 17

LEDGER AND SWORD.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sra,—In the review of Mr. Beckles Wilson's "Ledger and Sword" in the Spectator of February 20th it is stated that "it was in India that many of our greatest generals first learned their trade. James Wolfe and Eyre Coote, the great Wellington himself, there won their spurs." May I ask whether there is any evidence, and if so, where it is to be found, that James Wolfe—I presume the hero of Quebec is intended—ever served in India at all ; or that Eyre Coote, except, indeed, as a lad of nineteen against the Pretender in 1745, ever served anywhere else than in India ?

—I am, Sir, &c., H. C. IRWIN.

[By a slip of the pen the reviewer wrote the name of Wolfe among those who have served in India. As to Eyre Coote, it was not intended to imply that he served elsewhere than in India. It was there that he won his spurs, and there that he wore them with honour and distinction.—En. Spectator.]