13 JUNE 1903, Page 15

MAKING A LIVING BY TAKING IN ONE ANOTHER'S WASHING.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—I was interested to note in the Spectator of May 30th that you in your editorial and Mr. Hall in his letter both make use of this simile. You speak of its being done " in a community " ; Mr. Hall by "poverty-stricken relations of noble origin." I have seen it set down to the Scilly Islanders : a correspondent of T. P.'s Weekly refers it to Johnson's tour in the Hebrides. Boswell says : " How do these poor people live ? " and Dr. Johnson replies : " Sir, they make a precarious livelihood by taking in one another's wash- ing!' Did Dr. Johnson originate the fable, or is it still older than his time ?—I am, Sir, &c., L. T.