If the twin issues of right and wrong perhaps form the Van and Rear, what could be more central to our Line than a new, French eyewitness account in the form of the letter and accompanying sketch of the Battle of Trafalgar? We should be particularly proud of this contribution, not least, because neither has the letter been translated previously, nor has the sketch been presented to an English-language readership before. It is satisfying to be reminded that there are will always be new insights to discover in what may seem, at first sight, very familiar subjects. Biography has always formed sure ballast for the naval historian regardless of whether they are tasked with revealing either the problem, or the period, of the past. Given sufficient scrutiny, often the seemingly insignificant can become as revealing, and therefore as precious, as the lives of the great and good. As last year, for example, we include Lieutenant Francesco Magnon in his lonely Mediterranean outpost; his life re-examined by means of his intriguing correspondence. Our gaze this year reaches all the way from Lord Nelson, through John Paul Jones, to political lobbyists, a young cleric, junior officers, and to an architect with a well-kept secret of what might be buried under Nelson’s tomb. We even look to the Corsican Bandit himself. As never before, Napoleon steps forward into our pages. His reputation may now precede him, but it is fascinating to remember that he had – as he continues to have – a wide circle of admirers. But do not be unduly alarmed. We are not embracing all of the old enemies. At this unconventional gathering one can meet all sorts of characters. Some are familiar old salts, many of them ‘old boys’who served, and sometimes died, alongside Nelson. Though they long outlived Trafalgar, these veterans remain the life and soul of our party. Likewise, Cuthbert Lord Collingwood keeps good company with his ‘Star Captains’, Cochrane and Hoste. We are introduced to Captain Lord Robert Manners, a close contemporary of Nelson, but a man whose life, and perhaps his glittering career, was cut even shorter than that of our Hero. There is one visitor, a certain Josiah Nisbet, who you may be familiar with, though perhaps you don’t know a great deal about; high time then that we get to know him better. There is one guest, the charismatic actor T.P. Cooke, who would like to be the star attraction but our attention, as always, returns to the most important person of all. We write this editorial on his birthday, 29 September, and, as is customary, we raise a glass to him. It is our intention to prove there is no longer room for historical parochialism in these pages, particularly in the post Trafalgar era. It is our pleasure to welcome subjects that vii Election token, 1807. The obverse of this white metal token reads ‘Wilberforce Forever’. Courtesy Private Collection.
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