16 APRIL 1948, Page 17

"THE FRIEND OF INDIA "

SIR,—The Spectator in its issue of April 2nd sends a message of congratu- lation and good wishes to The Statesman, the well-known Calcutta and Delhi daily ; and in this connection mentions the names of William Carey and Meredith Townsend. May I suggest that another name should be added to these—that of Dr. George Smith, C.I.E., who was joint editor of The Friend of India, the precursor of The Statesman. After Mr. Townsend's return to England he continued its editor. He was also the biographer of Carey and he wrote the standard book, at that date, upon British India, as well as Twelve Indian Statesmen and other biographies.

My husband, George Adam Smith, was very proud of his father's career and work in India and would have liked to know that it was remembered along with that of his colleague Mr. Townsend.—Yours