22 AUGUST 1891, Page 16

FREE EDUCATION.

PTO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."'

SIR,—Both sides in the recent controversy in your columns as to the adoption of the principle of Free Education by leading politicians have failed to look back far enough. There were many speeches made in its favour in 1867 and 1868. In 1869, the Education League, when Mr. Chamberlain was chairman of committee and I was president of the London branch, made free schools the first plank in its programme ; and in 1870, those of its members who had seats in the Commons raised a debate upon the proposal.—I am, Sir, &c.,

CHARLES W. Diucz.

Dockett Eddy, Shepperton, Middlesex.