THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF FLORENCE ` AND INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL [To
he RdiJOT f the 0, SPECTATOR.] Sm,—Amid the chorus of congratulation that must greet your fine initiative in founding the All Peoples' Association as a centre to bring all nationalities together, who should applaud more eagerly and sincerely than those who are furthering the particular cause of one international friendship by means of The British Institute of Florence ? Friendship between the peoples must disarm suspicion, endeavour to understand each foreign nation's aims and policies, prepare the road for naval and military disarmament and the atmosphere of confidence in which, if needed, the machinery of arbitration can be made to work effectively.
- The British Institute of Florence promotes among Italians a love of England by setting before enthusiastic and impres- sionable youth all that is best in our national life and thought. Four hundred and fifty students in its schools are studying our language, for the most part not merely for commercial pur- poses but in order to explore the treasures of its literature. They form societies to act our plays and read our poets ; they come to England when they can to see our ancient institutions and take degrees at Florence University by thesis upon sub- jects ranging from " The Pearl " to " The Forsyte Saga." Many of them make their careers by teaching English in the secondary schools of Italy, and so pass on to others what they have learnt at the Institute. Thus does it endeavour to make some return in kind to the land and the city of Dante and Botticelli.
But the very success of the Institute's schools is the cause of grave pecuniary embarrassment. All higher education in Italy is laudably cheap, and the fees that the students can afford to pay do not nearly suffice even for the small salaries of the teachers. To meet its recurrent deficit and extend its work the Institute requires to increase its endowment by about £10,000. Will any of your many readers help ? Dona- tions should be sent to :—Mrs. G. M. Trevelyan, Hon. Sec. of the British Institute, at 74 Grosvenor Street, W. I.
HAROLD E. GOAD.
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