Immortal Memory so alive into the twenty-first century? Lord Nelson is among the few figures that are able to boast such an enduring legacy after two and half centuries. And there are fewer still that continue to offer researchers and enthusiasts such good material for a rich variety of perspectives within a multiplicity of disciplines. Surely The Trafalgar Chronicle’s pages are a testament to this. This year, once again, the Editors take pride that the subject matter contained within reflects the wide scope these intellects have explored. Biographical studies of those whose lives were intertwined with Nelson before, during or after his lifetime appear to remain our core material. Equal consideration is given to the publication of essays of socio-cultural flavour and likewise those of a literary, art historical, even a scientific focus. That the contents of this edition of The Trafalgar Chronicle is the result of a happy combination of the research and expertise of amateurs and professionals, enthusiasts and academics, is a perennial pleasure to report. A pleasure also to report the range and quality of papers submitted that now begin to form a group for next year’s Chronicle. We thank those authors who have been happy to develop their articles with our advice, and we appreciate the understanding of a number who were willing to see their papers published not this year, but next, owing to our restrictions on space. With the international profile of the journal now established, and its reputation growing every year, we would especially encourage Club members to meet our submissions deadline of 1 August. This has been a touch flexible in the past, but our success demands us now to treat the date with a strictness that is not familiar to us, yet with a consistency that we trust will be of great benefit to future editions. We grow and we rejoice in our luck to have such warm support. As we also look to our own birthday celebrations – our twentieth edition is in 2010 – we are confident that the quality of contributions within this journal will continue to be a fine testament to the memory of Nelson, and those who served with him. Given the nature of this birthday celebration the reader will forgive our indulgence in using the metaphor of a cake. The body of this Chronicle is made up of the flour and eggs of real lives into which is beaten the fruity and spicy, cultural and quirky ingredients. The whole thing is then infused with a noble spirit – we suggest this may be likened to the lashing of colour plates from the well-stocked cellars of the British Museum. As for the icing, we leave it to our individual readers to decide, likewise confident of a fair wind to blow out every candle. Happy Birthday, Horatio! 250 happy returns! Anthony Cross Huw Lewis-Jones vii
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTYyMzU=