24 JUNE 1899, Page 32

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "]

SIR,—In an interesting article in the Spectator of June 17th reference is made to Mr. Birtwistle's triumphal progress from a Wesleyan day-school to the honour of Senior Wrangler at Cambridge. The writer refers to the event as unusual, if not unprecedented, in modern times. May I point to an instance about ten years ago, when the son of a working man in Ports- mouth Dockyard worked his way from the Board-schools to the Portsmouth Grammar School, thence to St. John's College, Cambridge, and was eventually bracketed Senior Wrangler ? He was, I believe, at that time the youngest Senior Wrangler on record.—I urn, Sir, , PORTMUTHIAN.