1 APRIL 1905, Page 14

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."3

Sm,—Referring to your note on this subject in the Spectator of March 25th, I think the two-Power-standard theory can claim a greater length of life, even officially, than you imply. For in "A Seaman's Remarks on the British Ships of the Line," published shortly after Lord Hawke's death in 1781, it is related that Hawke laid down the maxim, and acted on it, that "our fleet can only be termed considerable in the pro- portion it bears to that of the House of Bourbon,"—i.e., France and Spain, the greatest, and almost the only other, naval Powers of that day. (Burrows, "Life of Hawke," p. 280.)—I am, Sir, &c., W. K. S.