Brompton.
_Nelson's Coat at Trafalgar_ (Vol. iv. p. 114.).--Besides the loss of
bullion from one of the epaulettes of Lord Nelson's coat occasioned by
the circumstance related by ÆGROTUS, there was a similar defacement
caused by the fatal bullet itself, which might render the identification
suggested by ÆGROTUS a little difficult. Sir W. Beatty says, in his
_Authentic Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson_, p. 70.:
"The ball struck the fore part of his lordship's epaulette, and
entered the left shoulder.... On removing the ball, a portion of
the gold lace and pad of the epaulette, together with a small
piece of his lordship's coat, was found firmly attached to it."
The ball, with the adhering gold lace, &c., was set in a crystal locket,
and worn by Sir W. Beatty. It is now, I believe, in the possession of
Prince Albert.
The intention of my note (Vol. iii., p. 517.) was to refute a common
impression, probably derived from Harrison's work, that Lord Nelson had
rashly adorned his admiral's uniform with extra insignia on the day of
the battle, and thereby rendered himself a conspicuous object for the
French riflemen.