25 FEBRUARY 1899, Page 17

LORD BEACONSFIELD AND THE INFLUENZA.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—We are undergoing another visitation of the malady known as influenza, and supposed by many people to be of recent growth. The following extracts from Lord Beacons- field's letters to his sister may not at the moment be unin- teresting. February 6th, 1837: " People are dying here by dozens. D'Orsay and myself, however, defy the disorder with a first-rate cook and generous diet and medicated vapour baths." And later. February (undated): " I have entirely baffled the influenza by the medicated air bath ; otherwise, I should have had a most severe attack, I am certain."—I am,