24 SEPTEMBER 1898, Page 15

[To THE ED/TOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—My copy of your

journal, which I have read for forty years, probably, has followed me here; and because many people may think, as Mr. Stillman does, that this Society can interpose to prevent the baiting of squirrels, will you do me the favour of saying in this week's issue that squirrels may be tortured to any extent with impunity, as British law pro- tects only domestic animals against cruelty, and does not provide against the torture of animals of wild nature, even when these are deprived of their liberty and are held captive by their owners,—so called; though it is hoped wild animals, no longer free, will shortly be protected, as proposed by Lord Herschell in the Bill he introduced recently in the House of Lords for that purpose P—I am, Sir, &c.,

JOHN COLAM, Secretary, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Felixstowe, September 15th.