22 FEBRUARY 1902, Page 15

LORD KITCHENER'S TELEGRAM. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1 Sin,—In

view of a recent telegram, the following extract from Crorawell's letter to Lenthall of September 4th, 1651, describing the battle of Worcester, has a curious interest :— "A. more particular account than this will be prepared for you as we are able. I hear they had not many more than a thousand horse in their body that fled; and I believe you have near four thousand forces following, and interposing between them and home. What fish they will catch* Time will declare."

[Our political prudes need not, after all, have been so terribly shocked because the phrase " bag " was used in an official message. Unless Cromwell is to be classed as a worldly and heartless reprobate, this precedent certainly covers the offence. We note, however, with admiration as well as amusement, that the Commonwealth officials had a

keen sense of editing and of what was suitable for publica- tion in newspapers.—ED. Spectator.]