21 AUGUST 1920, Page 14

THE WINE-BIBBER'S APOLOGY.

(To THE EDITOR OF ME " SPECTATOR.") Sm,—" Pure water is the best of gifts," &c., Mr. Walter A. Smith writes, is to be found in Songs and Verses, by Lord /sleeves. I have the little volume Songs and Verses: Social and Scientific, by an old contributor. -to Maga, -fourth edition enlarged, published -by W. Blackwood. and Sons, 1875, before me, but the Apes sought for are certainly not in it. Mr. Smith must be thinking of some other volume in his library in Eainburgh. Perhaps he will look further into the matter.— I am, Sir, &o., WILLIAM GARDEN, M.A. Uttershill, Penicuik, Midlothian.