28 JANUARY 1899, Page 28

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

CHILDREN'S UPS AND DOWNS.

[To me EDITOR Or TR. " SPECTATOR.")

SIR,—In reference to the idea that is being discussed in your columns that children have little feeling for the sufferings of living creatures, I can adduce one ease, at all events, to the contrary in that of one of my granddaughters, who, when about five or eix years old, burst into tears on passing a blacksmith'i shbii; and on her mother inquiring the cause, said: "Oh, mummy, they are nailing the donkey's boots on." On another occasion, the same young lady went into a passionate rage at my having to inflict some chastisement on a refractory dog. Surely there are many instances of feeling, and deep feeling too, in the same direction ?—I am, Sir, &e.,