7 JANUARY 1938, Page 24

ELEVEN O'CLOCK MATINS

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sm,—May I remind you that Matins (as found in the Book of Common Prayer) is a translation and adaptation of the monastic offices of lauds, prime and terce ; while Evensong is composed of sext and nones and part of the congregational office of compline ? Matins used to be said in the early morning, and it was only in the eighteenth century (long after the Reformation) that it came to be said at eleven o'clock. At the present time in most of our cathedrals and large parish churches in cities and large towns Matins and a choral Eucharist occupy equal places as Sunday morning services, one being held at, say, 10.30, and the other at 11.30 (or vice versa), so that everybody is pleased. This leaves us with small town and village churches in which two choral Sunday morning services would impose too great a strain on clergy and choir ; .and as to what should then be the chief Sunday service is obviously a question to be decided by the incumbent in con- sultation -with his parishoners. The last word, however, would always be with the incumbent, as the spiritual adviser