THE LUCK OF LIFE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7330, 17 February 1902, Page 2

THE LUCK OF LIFE.

« CLIVE, NELSON, WELLINGTON Sometimes we find ouwclves conjecturing idly how would England stand among the great nations of tho world in this wonderful century tf the luck of life 'had' been against Clive, Nelson or Wellington. We know how on the second occasion the suicide's pistol miseed fire, the future victor of Plassey, having assured (himself that the weapon was fully loaded, sank on his knees, and gaVe thanks to a Higher Power than the god of chance. . Ponder on the 'hairbreadths by which the hero- of Trafalgar escaped death in gallant assaults on the enemy's position, and fearless fights against great odds at sea before ever the battle of fche Nile was gloriously won. Yet more memorable was the Duke's preservation from death before his mighty career in Europe had: commenced, for the danger may be said to have been outside the risk of battle to which all soldiers and sailors, by their very profession, must at one time or another be exposed. India had planned an expedition to Egypt in 1800. Colonel Wellesley, to give the Duke the rank which he bore at the time, was appointed second in command. He travelled to Bombay, intending to embark at that port, but was laid low by fever, that commonest of Oriental maladies. The ship sailed without 'him, and was lost with all

hands at sea.