HOW TRAFALGAR WAS -FOUGHT.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE SPECTATOR." j SIE,—Your very valuable and interesting article on "How Trafalgar was Fought," that appeared in your issue of October 25th, describes fully how the Nelson "touch" was preserved when he bore up in his order of sailing, which was to be his order of battle on the eventful day of October 21st. Those who, like myself, can picture the whole scene, its locality, the positions,.of the opposing fleets, the length of time that elapsed previous to the opening -of fire from the time the British fleet bore up in iormation of two columns, never cease to wonder why the combined fleets, beyond
wearing in the early morning, elected to remain in one long line ahead, to be cut off at any one point, whilst unable to render the slightest support in the light airs that prevailed. By 6.40 or so that morning the combined fleets of the enemy saw at once Nelson's plan of attack, and hours elapsed before a shot was fired. Unless they were paralysed with fear or absolutely incompetent to manceuvre, it is almost incredible to think they could have remained in that senseless formation. The purport of my troubling you with this letter is to ask you to.induce a few to give their opinions of what they would have done had they. been in Villeneuve's place; the subject is so intensely interesting, in all that relates to that great action and the great man that won it, that no one would fail to appreciate further comments on that renowned battle.—I am, Sir, &c., . V. A. Mormeau (Rear-Admiral). 48 Rutland Gate, London, S. W.
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