Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery and Nelson's Column

London

Image and text scanned by Nathalie Chevalier.

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]

One of the finest open spaces in London and a great centre of attraction, is, so to speak, dedicated to Lord Nelson, and commemorates his glorious victory at the battle of Trafalgar, 22nd Oct., 1805, gained by the English fleet over the combined armament of France and Spain. By this Victory Napoleon's purpose of invading England was frustrated.

The ambitious Emperor had assembled at Boulogne, an army of 172,000 Infantry and 9,000 Cavalry, and also 2,413 Transports to convey his soldiers to England, but his fleet which he had been building for many years at an enormous cost, was destroyed by Nelson at this famous battle. The Admiral is, therefore, justly revered as the Saviour of his country.[text accompanying photograph]

Bibliography

The volume containing these images by an unidentified photographer bears the imprint "With H. and C. F. Feist's compliments" but no name, date, or place of publication, though the Feists were dealers in port wine, and Plate 30 demonstrates that the photograph must have been taken after 1902, and John R. Mendel offers evidence that it dates before mid-1906 [GPL].

Last modified 10 August 2011