16 NOVEMBER 1918, Page 10

WHERE IS PROGRESS ?

[To rue EDITOR OF TER " SPECTATOR."J 814,-11 is related of ancient Greece that when Demetrius attacked the city of Rhodes, Protogenes was painting a picture of Ialysus. "This," says Pliny, "hindered King Demetrius from taking Rhodes, out of fear lest he should burn the picture; and not being able to fire the town on any other side, he was pleased rather to spare the painting than to take the victory, which was already in his hands." When the painter was later brought into the pres- ence of Demetrios and asked to explain his calm courage, he answered that he understood " that the war was against the Rhodians and not against the Arts."—I am, -Sir, &c.,

JOGIAN OI,DFIELD.

Lady Margaret Hospital, Bromley, Kent.