20 DECEMBER 1919, Page 14

THE LOST ARTS.

[TO TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—The series of suggestions contained in the fascinating article on "The Romance of Disappearance" will, no doubt, revive the interest always felt in the wondrous stories, the speculations, and the superstitions recorded through the ages. The concluding inquiry, " Are there any lost arts? " was antici- pated, and answered, many years ago in that lecture, so familiar, by Wendell Phillips on " The Lost Arts," and readers may find in it much information on the subject to repay them for the reference. It is said of this lecture that " it was an almost impromptu delivery" when first heard; "it was never committed to writing," and it was " rarely if ever delivered twice alike," although delivered nearly two thousand times. The interesting fact is related that on a certain occasion a stenographer was employed to make a verbatim report. It was elegantly bound and presented to the author with the state- ment s " We have net done It for your sake, Mr. Phillips, but