POINTS FROM LETTERS

A CURIOUS PARALLEL.

There is a 'curious parallel in the quatrain reproduced in your issue of 'September 7th, " On a saying of Jesus of Nazareth " (taken from an Egyptian papyrus of the third century) and Francis Thompson's poem, In no strange land :---

. " The Angels keep their ancient Woes Turn but a stone, you start a wing I 'Tis ye, 'tis your estranged faces,

That miss the many splendoured thing."

Francis. Thompson died in 1907.—EMILY CLAYTON, Skersgill,

West 'Cliff Road, Bournemouth: '

WHICH FLOOD ?

In a letter in your issue of September 7th it is claimed that the fact of Noah's flood has recently been discovered. But is not the flood of which evidence has been found much more likely to be the other flood mentioned in the last chapter of Joshua, which must have lasted longer than Noah's flood, and on the other side. of which Abraham's ancestors lived ?- G. B. COPE, Ashfield, Albrighton, near Wolverhampton.

" TAUCHNITZ."

I am more than amazed at your contributor's boast that he brings half a dozen volumes of " Tauchnitz " into this country after each trip abroad, in order, Apparently, that he may read •these volumes here and. avoid having to pnichase the home published editions. He seems indeed to glory in the

fact. As " Tauchnitz " bears no royalties, and royalties are the very necessary and deserved rewards of the authors whose writings give so much pleasure to your contributor, our laws naturally forbid the importation into this country of these volumes, and, apart from any question as to whether the breaking of the law is reprehensible or not, it seems a decidedly mean action to refuse writers their proper remunera- tion—for this is the pract;.-4 effect of your contributor's policy.—P. W. G. Guiix, 49 ...ielford Road, Edinburgh.

CRUELTY IN SPORT,

I was fond of shooting before the War, and have had a good deal of experience, both with big game and with small, including birds. Since the War I have not pulled a trigger, and will never again. No one who saw, as I did, men's limbs shattered by shot and shell, and the suffering involved, can be indifferent to the suffering caused -to a wounded bird or antelope or hare. It is nonsense to say that a good shot always kills his bird. The best shot sometimes wounds, without killing. In war at least there is some danger to the wounder ; but the wretched bird cannot shoot back. Nothing will induce me ever again to find' " amusement " in shooting at a helpless bird. I am not a -sentimental man, either.--COLONIAL SOLDIER. • GOATS AT MALTA.

I am glad to see in your issue of August 24th that my letter re " Goats at Malta ' has called two replies in favour of the animal. It is agreed that free discussion and criticism on any subject is generally salutary.- For the benefit of Mr. Thos. J. Palmer, Hon. Sec. British Goat Society, I would like to say that (while thanking. him for the offer of documents in favour, of the goat) the only " Goat " I have ever been inter- ested in is the excellent naval and marine club of that name which used to have premises in Lower Regent Street, but now, I believe, has moved to New Bond- Street.---R. NOEL WHITE, Major, Royal Marines (retired),-Tower House, Sussex Road, Southsea.

SURPLUS PLANTS.

THAT the suggestion thrown out by Mr. G. Bell in. our issue .dated July 20th was a singularly happy thought is very evident from the response which it has evoked among flower- lovers. The "Spectator, it will be 'remembered, offered to* act as a clearing-house 'for " surplus plants' by putting' into touch with one another those who had plants to dispose of, and those who would gladly welcome them. We have re- ceived, and are still receiving, generous offers from our readers, and we shall do everything in our power to make this scheme a success.—En. Spectator.