6 FEBRUARY 1915, Page 17

PLATO ON ARMY PENSIONS.

Lye run EDITOR or THY .813277.1.706."1 Sat,—In the Platonic dialogue called the " Menexenus" those who have died fighting for their country are made to address her as follows; I give the passage in Jowat's translation:— "To the state we would say—Take rare of our parents and of our sons: ]et her worthily cherish the old age of our parents and bring up our sons in the right way. But we know that she will of her own accord take care of them and does not need any exhor- tation of ours."

Some scholars hold that the " Menexenus " is spurious; let us hope that the Prime Minister is not of the number.—I am,