18 JULY 1925, Page 20

SEVENTH COMPETITION

THE EDITOR OFFERS A PRIZE OF £5 FOR AN OUTLINE OF HISTORY IN NOT MORE THAN 100 WORDS OF PROSE.

BREVITY is dangerous : it may be that the Spartans never understood one another. We have received the following

letter :—

DEAR 6111,-Am I very stupid ? I cannot satisfy myself as to what "An Outline of Thstory " is. Do you mean an outline of all history from the earliest ages compressed ? Or an outline of what constitutes history ? Or an outline of some one event or series of events appealing to the writer ? Or an outline of some particular event which, it may be considered, will be included in history hereafter and of which the writer can give his own impres- sions or experiences ?—I am, Sir, &c., HANNAH BOLLAND. July 4th.

If we laid ourselves open to so many misconceptions we apologize. It was the first interpretation that we set upon our terms—an outline of history from the earliest recorded (or conceivable) times to the present day : a waistcoat pocket rival to Mr. H. G. Wells's famous book.

RULES FOR COMPETITORS

1. All entries must be received on or before Friday, July 24th.

2. Competitors may send in as many entries as they wish, but each entry must be accompanied by one of the coupons to be found on page 117 of this issue.

3. The name and address (or the pseudonym) of every com- petitor must be written clearly at the foot of his manuscript.

4. The Editor cannot return any manuscript submitted for the competition, nor can be enter into correspondence with competitors.

5. The Editor reserves the right of printing any manuscript submitted.

6. Envelopes must be addressed : Competition, the Spectator, 13 York Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C. 2.