16 APRIL 1921, Page 3

Even in a week like the present we must find

space for a line of congratulation to a very old friend and very old contributor to the Spectator, Mr. D. C. Lathbury. On Monday last he reached his ninetieth year, and reached it, we are glad to say, in health and in full mental vigour. Mr. Lathbury is one of the editors and journalists of whom we can all be proud. He had not an enemy in his profession, and no human being ever suggested that he did in the course of his journalistic work anything unworthy. That may sound frigid ; but, after all, could there really be a higher compliment ? Certainly there could be none which Mr. Lathbury would like better. His favourite motto is, we may feel sure, " No flowers by request."