THE EAST HERTS ELECTION.
fro TER EDITOR OP THE " 8PEoTATOR.1
Sre,—On a dreary morning in December, 1914, the ancient town of Whitby was suddenly startled by a roar so deafening as to suggest tho crack of doom. In five minutes houses were in ruins, and their inhabitants driven at a moment's notice into the dull rain and the muddy streets. The thing was new then. No Zeppelins had yet come ; no town had hitherto been bombarded seriously from the sea. But Whitby did not flinch. In a few hours the people were going about their business as usual. In the afternoon I attended a business meeting, previously announced. I do not remember that the bombardment was so much as mentioned at the meeting. Next day the town was told that the Navy was for the defence of the Empire, and not for the defence of this or that town in the Empire. Not a man in Whitby whined or protested, then or since. East Herts has had a far less formidable visitation, and has had it in times when other people have already learned to disdain such things. I commend the fortitude of Whitby to the notice of East Herta, and I do it the more readily because in December, 1914, I was but newly come to the town.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Whitby. Hem T. Room. [Well done, Whitby !---ED. Spedator.]
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