[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sia,—On what evidence does " Britannicus " in his letter to you in answer to " Germanicus " on the French claim assert that it was not Clive but Warren Hastings who said the words attributed to him by " Germanicus " ? It is one of the most frequently used quotations. Macaulay in his essay on Clive, writing of Clive's defence before a Committee of the House, writes : " He described in vivid language the situation in which his victory had placed him ; great princes dependent on his pleasure ; an opulent city afraid of being given up to plunder ; wealthy bankers bidding against each other for his smiles ; vaults piled with gold and jewels thrown open to him alone. ' By God, Mr. Chairman,' he exclaimed, ' at this moment I stand astonished at my own moderation 1 ' " Are Macaulay and " Germanicus " incorrect ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
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