HOSPITALS AND MEMORIAL DONATIONS [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,--Your correspondent states that it would be easy to answer my letter " from ' the twelfth chapter of St. John's Gospel. I agree. However, to ensure that the sixth verse may not be included by way of any further allusion to that chapter I think it makes it doubly clear that the choice of the charity must rest with the chief mourner, and not with the donor !
I entirely agree that no special organization is necessary. The custom of sending flowers might eventually become the privilege of the chief mourner and nearest relatives. Why should not a large part of the thousands of pounds now spent on flowers on Armistice Day, throughout the country, be converted into £ s. d. for charity ? Surely the laying of wreaths either on the grave or on a memorial should be but " An outward visible sign of an inward spiritual grace " ?
It is for this very reason that the provision of a small distinctive artificial wreath or token of standard design is suggested, to which would be attached the donor's card of sympathy or remembrance. The cost of this token would, of necessity, have to be small, since it would be supplied by the hospital, and would therefore come out of the donation sent in memory of the deceased.—I am, Sir, &c., A. C. OprEmnErm.
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