E-text prepared by Steven Gibbs and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 15299-h.htm or 15299-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/9/15299/15299-h/15299-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/9/15299/15299-h.zip) DRAKE, NELSON AND NAPOLEON Studies by SIR WALTER RUNCIMAN, BART Illustrated London T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. Adelphi Terrace 1919 DEDICATORY LETTER TO SIR JAMES KNOTT MY DEAR SIR JAMES, We have travelled far since those early days when you and I, who are of totally different tastes and temperament, first met and became friends. I was attracted by your wide knowledge, versatile vigour of mind, and engaging personality, which subsequent years have not diminished. You were strenuously engaged at that time in breaking down the weevilly traditions of a bygone age, and helping to create a new era in the art of steamship management, and, at the same time, studying for the Bar; and were I writing a biography of you, I would have to include your interesting travels in distant lands in quest of business and organizing it. That must be left for another occasion, when the vast results to the commercial life of the country to which you contributed may be fittingly told. At the present time my vision recalls our joyous yachting cruises on the Clyde, when poor Leadbitter added to the charm that stays. Perhaps best of all were the golden days when we habitually took our week-end strolls together by the edge of the inspiriting splendour of the blue North Sea, strolls which are hallowed by many memories, and gave me an opportunity of listening to your vehement flashes of human sympathies, which are so widely known now. It is my high appreciation of those tender gifts and of your personal worth, together with the many acts of kindness and consideration shown to me when I have been your guest, that gives me the desire to inscribe this book to you and Lady Knott, and to the memory of your gallant sons, Major Leadbitter Knott, D.S.O., who was killed while leading his battalion in a terrific engagement in Flanders, and Captain Basil Knott, who fell so tragically a few months previously at his brother's side. With every sentiment of esteem, I am, dear Sir James, Ever yours sincerely, WALTER RUNCIMAN. March 1919. PREFACE