17 OCTOBER 1925, Page 19

WARWICK PRIORY [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—It is

with great concern that I, and no doubt many beside me, read in the daily papers of the sale of 'Warwick Priory- and its removal to America. This is not the first time that wealthy Americans have bought ancient buildings in England and removed them piece by piece to their own country. No doubt if the Tower of London were for sale they would buy and remove that. One can understand the -Americans' desire and love for these historical relies, but why are they allowed to remove them from their natural setting ? These buildings belong to England. and they lose half their real interest in America, to which they do not belong. Cannot a petition be made to Parliament asking them to prevent by law any further actions of this description —I am, Sir, &e., 56 Fordel Road, Colloid, R.E. 6. L. IT. CRONFORD.

[We understand that the Priory had been gutted and that the stones were on the point of being sold and dissipated for various building purposes in this country. The American purchaser proposes, if we are correctly informed, faithfully to reconstruct the Priory in his own country and use it for a museum, which is at least a more reverent plan than had been formed here.—En. Spectator.]