24 NOVEMBER 1877, Page 16

LORD BATEMAN'S DEFENCE OF PROTECTION.

[TO TIM EDITOR OF TER "SPECTATOR.") Si,—In your issue of November 17 the writer of one of the notes on page 1,423 says, referring to Lord Bateman's recent speech, "But to rip yourself up in order to compel your enemy to do so likewise is a feat attempted only in fairy tales, and even in fairy tales it is only done in appearance." Has the writer never heard or read of the "happy despatch" of the Japanese? With them a duel is fought or carried out by one adversary actually ripping himself up, and thereby compelling his adversary, who must, according to their law of honour, do the same, to follow his example.—I am, Sir, &c.,