POINTS FROM LETTERS

DISESTABI.ISIIMI NT.

In the controversy- between Mr. Noyes and L. M. Turner, on when and how Christianity reached England, is it allowable to • ask if it matters much `t• Surely the Church of England is able to put its own house in order without unseemly wrangling. There must be some Authority to cope with the unruly extremes without resorting to the drastic measure of disestablishment.— A CHURCLIWO3IAN.

WHY NOT ENGLISH ?

'Your references to travel, and in particular to cruising travel, in your last issue omits reference to one feature with which one is familiar alike on ships and in hotels—and in this I mean British hotels. I refer to the (to me) detestable fashion of printing menus in French, or a mixture of French and English. Can anybody tell me why our own English tongue is not good enough for us when we are away from home ? Or, alternatively, if French must be used, why not use it throughout ? I have before me as I write a dinner menu of a great shipping Line, containing the fol- lowing :—" Potage Ferrniere," (sic) " Roast Duckling and Apple Sauce," " Artichokes an Beurre," " Rhubarb Tart." I much prefer the English, but why both ? Also, why are breakfast

menus always in English exclusively '1 If English is good enough for breakfast, why not for dinner 7.—F. J. PAPE, Cockermouth.

VILLAGE CRICKET.

I am grateful for the criticism of my book, A Village Match and After, that appeared in your issue of July 6th. Your reviewer no doubt had in mind the danger of the wickets usually provided for village cricket when he referred to the " Home fifteen." In order to protect him against the hilarity he has naturally caused I should like to point out that village matches are often played with twelve a side, and the umpire, usually partisan, might be reckoned a member of the team he supports. But your reviewer must make up his own mind how he is going to bring in the other two.—M. D. LYON, Reform Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1.

THE REAL CLEAVAGE.

One of my reasons for reading the Spectator for something over forty years is that it is independent or unattached. All other newspapers and journals of which I am aware have distinct biases, and although certain of them claim to be independent or unattached, it is to me obvious that they do not act in accordance with their professions. I do not need to—at any rate, do not—take my views on such things as politics and religion from newspapers or journals.— A. E. BALE, 45 Sudbourne Road, Brixton, S.W. 2.

" SPECTATOR " CENTENARY NUMBER.

You will be gratified to know that the Centenary Number was much -appreciated out in the wilds of Africa. My son writes : " The Spectator Centenary Number was truly a monumental work. I have only just finished reading it." (May 8th, 1929).—Fredk. J. BROADBENT, Croft House, Mirfield, Yorks.

FUR FARMS.

With regard to the interesting remarks on " Fur Farms " in your " Country Life page, it would be pleasant indeed to think that there is no cruelty connected with the business, and I hope that it is so in England, but a Norwegian friend tells me that in Norway the animals are put an end to in a most cruel manner, by being pressed to death, to save injury to the skins.—E. JACOB, 14 Ladbroke Terrace, W. 11.

THE PRESENCE OF FLOWERS.

The presence of flowers is like the very Presence of God. All through May, I, a countrywoman, was cooped in a London hospital, and no one can tell how I ached and longed for a sight of growing flowers from the windows. Nothing but cold, grey walls—heartless, lifeless. Even the little green churchyard round St. Margaret's Church had no flowers, except a few darling, daring daisies in the grass. The Square garden near my hotel had nothing but a few clumps of daffodils to relieve its bareness. My little cottage garden at home was alive with scent and colour ; wallflowers, jonquils, Pretty Nancies, forget-me-nots, pansies. All common and easily cultivated, but so lovable. Why could not even the ugly iron railings have climbing roses, honeysuckles, travellers' joy, to cover them with beauty ?—FLORENCE P. PALMER, The Dawn, Looe, Cornwall.

THE RESTORATION OF ELIZABETHAN PLYMOUTH.

The renovation and reconditioning of the oldest house in the district, which probably saw, if it did not harbour, Drake and some of his people, and which certainly was seen by the Pilgrim Fathers, is well under way, and it is hoped to have a gathering in September on the anniversary of the sailing of the

• Mayflower,' at the ' Mayflower' Stone on the Barbican, when the building will be sufficiently advanced to show something of what it will be like when completed. The funds raised for this purpose now amount to approximately £800, but another £400 is needed to complete the first house, and more if a second, almost equally ancient, is to be dealt with also. Any wishing to contribute towards the sum still needed can send a cheque to Sir Philip Pilditch, Bart., M.P., the Chairman of the London Committee, or to the Mayor of the City, Guildhall; Plymouth.

WATER FOR ANIMALS.

We are asked by the R.S.P.C.A. to remind readers that, especially in this hot weather, the provision of troughs of water outside doors opening on the street will be an act of kindness to passing animals and to birds.—En. Spectator.

WHAT TO Do WITH YOUR SURPLUS PLANTS.

We should like to thank our readers who have already generously responded to our suggestion, made under this heading last week, that they should send in their names if they were willing to supply or distribute surplus plants from gardens to others less fortunate than themselves. We shall be glad to hear from any further volunteers, especially- on the `• supply " side.—En. Spectator.