INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP.
[To THE EDITOR OE THE " Srscrwrop..-3 SIR,—In these days few things are more important than international friendship and the intimate knowledge of and respect for people of other nations, on which alone such friendship can be based if it is to be of real value. In the life of peoples, as of individuals, distrust, envy, and warfare are the children of ignorance; while mutual respect, liking, and cordiality result from closer contact and personal knowledge. These are amongst the world's needs which women can help to supply. Many who have not home ties have time and means for leisurely travelling, and, unlike Lord Monkhurst in "Milestones" (who felt himself qualified to speak on all Indian questions and to be an authority on India in the House), women have time to live long enough in alien countries to make real friendship and to understand and admire the qualities of other nations than our own. Such adventures and such sojourns are hel-ped and promoted by our Women's Club in London in a way which few people realize. The Lyceum has not only its fine club-house in Piccadilly, it has also club-houses in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Florence, Geneva, Holland, Stockholm, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney, and the opening of others is contemplated. This means that when a member of either the London or any of the other Lyceums finds herself in a city where a Lyceum club-house is established, she has her own club at her door, and the welcome and comfort it can give her ; while, if a visitor to London, she will find an inner circle of the Club devoted to her own nationality as well as a circle for travellers. Also any woman of culture, literary woman, or artist in music or painting, living where there is no club-house, can pay a small retaining subscription and have the use of the club- house in any city where there is one by paying the current subscription for the place in which she is during the time she is there. Many friendships of great international value have been formed in this way, and we have been able to give useful practical hospitality to women from our King's dominions overseas and to women of other nations, besides entertaining distinguished men who are visiting England. For instance, next Monday we are giving a dinner, at which Lady Kenyon is presiding, to members of the Historical Congress now meeting in London, and we have made fifty members of the Congress honorary members of the Club during their visit.
This and similar happenings should do much practically to promote the peace on earth and goodwill among men of which we dream and sing.—I am, Sir, &c., HELEN G. PRILLP,
Lyceum Club, 128 Piccadilly, W.
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