1 MAY 1909, Page 12

rro TEE EDITOR OF THE “sem0rkron."3

Sin,—" They that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Surely this is for, not against, self-defence. Unless the aggressors who take the sword commit suicide with it, the sword by which they perish must be wielded by other hands. To train such other hands is to act in accordance with the command implied in the saying. But if any man desirous of doing his duty to his country is troubled by this text, let him consider Luke xxii. 36: "But now he that bath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." —I am, Sir, &c.,

A FORMER CONTRIBUTOR TO THE " SPECTATOR " COMPANY.