StR,—May I add a footnote to Ludovic Ken- nedy's admirable
article, 'Trafalgar'? He says, Pew admirals have laid their plans with more forethought.' I think it is correct to say that at that period no admiral except Nelson pre- pared detailed battle plans for every posture in which he might find the enemy, and ex- plained them to all his captains.
When the look-out reported the French Fleet in Aboukir Bay, no signals were made to the British Fleet—none was necessary. The last manoeuvring signal made before Trafalgar was 'Bear up and sail large.' The two flagships then shaped course for the enemy line and the ships of their divisions followed in their wake.
Collingwood paid a tribute to Nelson's fore- thought when, on seeing the flags of the 'England expects' signal fluttering above the nettings, he said to his signal officer : 'I wish Nelson would stop signalling; we all know what to do.'—Yours faithfully, Road Farm,Churt
W. M. MMES
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