23 JANUARY 1942, Page 13

AUTHORS AND CHARITY

SIR,—Mr. St. John Ervine's protest against the custom of sponging on artists was long overdue. I get requests from all over the country, and it is quite the exception to get a word of thanks from the re- cipients of a drawing done for " charity." I once gave a talk with drawing on the board in aid of a hospital and thereby raised the sum of over £20. The chairman ended the proceedings with an eulogy of the brilliant creator of " Old Bill," but no mention of poor me. The hospital committee also neglected to say " Thank you."—Yours faithfully, BERT THOMAS. Church Form, Pinner, Middlesex.