Friday, October 21, 2005

Natalie Solent on Horatio Nelson's piety. I've always liked Mr. Hayes' prayer:
Oh Lord, we are about to join battle with vastly superior numbers of the enemy, and, Heavenly Father, we would like for you to be on our side and help us; but if you can't do it, for Christ's sake don't go over to the enemy, but just lie low and keep dark, and you'll see one of the damndest fights you ever saw in all your born days. Amen.
Elsewhere, they have acquired the letters of an eleven-year-old midshipman who was at Trafalgar.

Via Cronaca.