[To Tee EaIT0a or THE " SPECT1702."1
Ste,—The controversy about the bestowal of honours reminds me of a story that illustrates the position which, as I believe, the wise Whip takes up when a mau too boldly approaches him with a suggestion of a bargain for a peerage, e.g. If I give £100,000 to the party funds will you promise me that I shall be in the next Honours List?" A very rich Scottish manufacturer of the "sixties" when on his death-bed sent for the minister of the Free Kirk, to which he nominally belonged, and in great per- turbation of mind spoke as follows: "I am afraid I have led a very bad life in many ways, but do you think it would make any amends if I left £100,000 to the kirk? " To which the minister replied; "I'm bound to say that I have no Scriptural warrant for telling you that it would be any use, but, all the same, I think it is an experiment weel worth the trying."—I ant, Sir, &c.,
S.
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