6 JANUARY 1917, Page 24

CAN THE ETHIOPIAN CHANGE HIS SKIN ? [To THE Enrroa

or TIER "Sereraroa.")

Sia,—The apparent attempt to whitewash the Central Power. recalls one of the " rarities " witnessed by Christiana and her companions during their visit to the Delectable Mountains:—

"They had them also to a place where they saw one Fool and one Want-wit washing of an Ethiopian with intention to make him white; but the more they washed him the blacker he was. They then asked the shepherds what that should mean. So they told them, saying, ' Thus shall it be with the vile person; all means used to get such an one a good name shall, in conclusion, tend but to make him more abominable.'" —I am, Sir, &a., J. C. F.