14 JULY 1917, Page 12

[To TEE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.")

SIR,—Mr. Prior is quite right. Why should artists waste their time in executing masterpieces like Michael Angelo's tomb of the Medici, when the public and Mr. Prior think the village children ean do just as well without " dishonouring by art and luxury the tomb "? Let artiste do their proper job of white-washing barns, and allow Mr. Prior's carpenter to put up monuments " hand painted" by the pavement chalker outside Westminster Abbey. This would further economize in " dishonouring extravagance," as the man is just outside the Abbey, and would not need a 'bus- fare to get to his art job.—I am, Sir, Ac., WALTER WINANS.