HISTORY RECALLED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1940, Page 6

HISTORY RECALLED

SPIRIT OF THE AGE. PASSING OF NELSON. In the possession of Mr E. C. Jones, of Waitara, are a number of copies of the London "Times,” the dates of their publication ranging from 1793-1815, Contained in the 1793 copy is a report of the meeting of the national convention of France, extracts of interest referring to the burial of the executed Louis XVI and the apprehension experienced by members of the convention regarding their possible assassination. The following extract from "The Times" dated Wednesday 3. 1798 and quoting lhe dispatches sent by RearAdmiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K. 8., to the Earl of St. Vincent: —"Vanguard, mouth of the Nile, August 3, My Lord, —-Almighty God has blessed His Majesty's arms in the late battle, by a great victory over the fleet of the enemy, whom I attacked at sunset on August 1, off the mouth of the Nile. The high state of discipline among lhe men under my command is well known to you, and with the judgment of the captains, together with their valour, and that of the officers and men of every description, lhe squadron was irresistible.” A full account, of the bombardment of the defence lines of Copenhagen by Sir Hyde Parker and Nelson is contained in “The Times” Thursday 16, 1801. It is apparent that the same spirit and zeal which animated lhe men under Nelson's command was again fully evident during this engagement.

A paper printed on Friday, January 10, 1806, contains full accounts of the tragic funeral of Lord Nelson. The following is an extract recounting the funeral. “Yesterday the funeral of this most illustrious warrior took place in St. Paul’s Cathedral. An hour before daylight, the drums of lhe different volunteer corps in every part of the metropolis beat to arms. In St. James Park were drawn up all the regiments of cavalry and infantry quartered within one hundred miles of London who had served in the glorious campaigns in Egypt after the memorable victory of the Nile. At half-past ten the procession commenced from the Admiralty, will) the march of several regiments, led by his Royal Highness, the Duke of York, attended by his aides-de-camp and staff." Nelson’s coffin is described as fol-lows:--“Stripped of its velvet pall mid placed on a funeral car. supported upon a platform, covered with black cloth and festooned with velvet, richly fringed and decorated with escutcheons on each side, between which were inscribed the words ’Trinidad’ and ’Bucenlaur.’ The car. modelled at the ends in imitation of the hull of Hie Victory, was elaborately carved, inscribed on one side being the following motto: 'Haste devicto. requievet.' with the word 'Trafalgar' engraved on the back of the car.” So passed a great great naval hero and a greatci' man.