22 FEBRUARY 1896, Page 15
NE LSON.
[To TER EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Your correspondent, "A. D. G.," in the Spectator of February 15th, questions the correctness of my version of Nelson's famous exclamation. I believe he is wrong in saying the words were,—" A peerage or Westminster Abbey " Southey, in his "Life of Nelson" (p. 93 of Vol I.) says,—" In the battle off Cape St. Vincent Nelson gave orders for boarding the San Josef,' exclaiming, Westminster Abbey or victory ! ' " Perhaps "A. D. G." can cite Letter authority; in which case I bow to it. Till "A. D. G." does so, I maintain the correctness of my version.—I am, Sir, &a.,
Yous REVIEWER.