29 MARCH 1930, Page 23

THE "BEST" OF ENGLAND [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sra,:—May I thank you, on behalf of other readers out here, as well as myself, for the steady and consistent attitude in defence of the rights of animals, shown in your editorial note appended to Mr. H. A. Vachell's letter in. your issue of March 15th ? Mr. Vachell's opinion seems to be that a book should only be entrusted to a reviewer who is known to be in sympathy with the views of its author, or who at any rate, can be depended upon to refrain from adverse comment on these views.

But is it not the function of a critic to criticize ? And why should not that section of the public which deprecates " blood- sports ."—if Mr. Vaehell does not like the name, he must remember that still less do many of us like the facts that it connotes—be made aware that in The Best of England he includes much-that they regard with sorrow and regret ? The very title of the book challenges such criticism. —I am, Sir, &c., Pardigon-sur-Mer, Var, France. M. A. BrxsTeAn.