28 OCTOBER 1905, Page 14

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE 'SPECTATOR.")

Sin,—I do not know if at this epoch a faint echo from the fame of our great hero is worth your commemoration, Lady Nelson told my aunt, Madame de Sismondi, wife of the historian, that she was once asked at the Custom-house for her name on crossing some frontier (which I have forgotten) into France, the officials, of course, being Frenchmen. "Lady Nelson ! Wife of the great hero ! Pray, Madame, take back your keys ; your trunks must not be searched." This spontaneous and chivalrous appreciation of a hero from average members of a rival nation has always dwelt with me as a characteristic expression of Gallic chivalry, and may be worth the attention of your readers.—I am, Sir, &c.,

JULIA. WEDGWOOD.