SONGS, NAVAL AND MILITARY.
[TO THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOR..']
Sin,—In the otherwise delightful article on " Songs, Naval and Military," contained in your issue of September 20th, there is a story of Wellington and Soult which must jar on all admirers of the great Duke, and which one would fain believe apocryphal. Far more characteristic surely of him and of bis attitude towards our then generous foes and now admiring friends, is the story of his reply to the Prince Regent when the latter asked him if our cavalry was not " the best in Europe ? " " The French are very good, Sire." "But ours are better, Duke." "The French are very good, Sire." There is also ample evidence of the Duke's high appreciation of Soult, at least as a general, and the answer attributed to bins in your article seems almost incredibly unworthy.—I am, Sir, Chedigny, Indre et Loire, France. C. W. NEWTON.
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