"BEAR" ELLICE.
[To THZ EDITOR OF THE "Srscre:rox."1
SIR,—I am sorry to spoil an amusing myth, but the notice of Mrs. Ellice's death in the Spectator of the 10th inst. is some- what inaccurate on a twofold score. The Mrs. Ellice whose death your correspondent "S." refers to was not the widow of the well-known "Bear" Ellice, but the widow of "Bear" Ellice's son. Nor was the sobriquet bestowed upon the father, as your correspondent surmises, on account of "his brusque manner." Mr. Ellice senior's manner was courteous and genial. The title " Bear " was due to his connexion with the Hudson Bay Company, in which he was largely interested, and which indeed he resuscitated at a critical stage of its existence. As "Bear" Ellice was my stepfather, I speak not
without authority.—I am, Sir, &c., HENRY COKE. The Athenanon, Pall Mall, S. W.
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