CHALMERS AND THE ELBERFELD SYSTEM.
[TO THE EDITOR or THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—My attention has been drawn to a remark in your issue of November 14th, p. 779, to the effect that you believe the above-mentioned system was introduced into Elberfeld by a daughter of Robert Chalmers. It was, however, originated by Daniel von der Heydt, the son of an eminent banker in that town. In "Britain's Next Campaign," by Julie Sutter (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.), there is a short account of how the idea formed itself in his mind after reading the advice of Jethro to Moses. Daniel's eldest brother August, afterwards Baron von der Heydt, was the Minister of Finance for the kingdom of Prussia at the time of the Austrian War in 1866, and for many years before that time.—I am, Sir, Sze.,
GREAT-NEPHEW.
[There is nothing inconsistent in our statement and that of "Great-Nephew." That Chalmers's principles are unques- tionably the basis of the Elberfeld system is pointed out below by Miss Gordon, but this does not lessen the credit of Daniel von der Heydt in giving them form and sub- stance and in discovering in Jethro's advice to Moses an appropriate organisation. Chalmers's daughter was living in Elberfeld before the experiment was made, and there is, we believe, evidence that she advocated her father's principles. The seed thus planted fell into Daniel von der Heydt's mind and bore good fruit.—En. Spectator.]
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