22 OCTOBER 1904, Page 13

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:9 Sin,—Will you allow

me to correct a slight injustice done me by Sir Horace Plunkett in your last issue P He speaks of your accepting, on my "authority," certain then uncontradicted statements of Mr. Moore, K.C., M.P., which had appeared in the Times three weeks previously. I considered that Mr. Moore's letter ought not to be ignored, but I gave the state- ment solely as his, and I was careful to deprive it, as far as was then in my power, of such authority as its citation by me might be supposed to confer. My comment, partly quoted by Sir Horace Plunkett, but not in a connection which shows its special reference, was this : " The temper of mind, created by the action of the Irish Administration, which fastens eagerly, perhaps hastily, on such allegations, is what deserves notice."

—I am, Sir, &c., EDWARD DOWDEN.