BEDFORD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
IR,—That individual initiative is checked whenever a Government Department steps in to exercise any control is now generally admitted, whether that control is held to be on the whole beneficial or not. In the field of education local authorities are doing more and more, with the result that it is less and less easy to arouse the interest of the private benefactor. Great difficulty is now experienced in raising money for University Colleges, and the higher education of women suffers especially from this change, because no ancient endowments exist for this purpose. In these circumstances, and in view of the fact that your distinguished predecessor, Richard Holt Hutton, was for several years connected with Bedford College for Women (University of London), may I be allowed to appeal through your columns for subscriptions to the building fund for that institution ? The College is bound to quit its present premises in Baker Street at no distant date at the expiry of a lease ; the new site which has been acquired in Regent's Park, where building will soon be commenced, is without exaggeration the most charming that could have been selected in London, and all that is now wanted to ensure the creation of a College worthy of London is further funds. The London County Council has, it is true, generously voted £20,000 for this purpose, a fact which, taken in connexion with the steady increase in the number of the students, sufficiently indicates the value of the work done by the College. Only some £20,000 more is needed to enable the new premises as at present designed to be occupied free of debt.
All your readers doubtless sympathise with those who are working for the advancement of women, and some may be especially glad in these days of controversy to have an oppor- tunity of proving that that sympathy is genuine. In conclu- sion, may I say that many years' acquaintance with the College makes me certain that donations may be given with absolute confidence as to the justice of this appeal, concerning which any further information will be gladly given by the College authorities P—I am, Sir, &c.,
LEONARD DARWIN,
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