13 OCTOBER 1923, Page 16

IF MANNER MAKE MAN.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In the Spectator of September 1st the writer of an article, "If Manner Make Man," wonders why doctors do not more often take to literature. It is, I think, noteworthy that many eminent writers have studied medicine before devoting themselves to literature. The special medical knowledge thus obtained is seen in some of their writings. Among poets may be mentioned Robert Bridges (the Poet Laureate), Oliver Goldsmith, Crabbe and Keats, whose descriptions of health and disease are most graphic. Among prose writers Sir Thomas Browne, Wendell Holmes, Stephen Paget and Conan Doyle are very fanailiar.—I am, Sir, &c.,