POINTS FROM LETTERS
A GOOD WILL MOVEMENT IN INDIA.
I have the pleasure to enclose herewith a copy of my statement to the Press dealing with the Good Will Movement and proposing the formation of a common platform of Europeans and Indians to promote good feeling and bring about a better understanding between them. As your paper is well known for its sympathetic attitude towards the Indian question may I take the liberty of requesting you to comment on this proposal ? Perhaps your views would assist towards influencing European opinion in this country. The proposal is now on the anvil of public opinion. It remains to be seen whether adequate support from both sides will be found to enable the formation of the proposed body. It is worth noting that, unlike existing common platforms of Europeans and Indians, the one now proposed has a definite political basis. I had the pleasure of a long talk with Mr. Gandhi during his recent stay in Bombay and discussed this matter with him. He told me he would comment on it shortly.— M. I. DAVID, 4 Queens Road, Fort, Bombay.
[Any movement which aims at promoting goodwill and a better understanding between Europeans and Indians has our cordial sympathy.—En. Spectator.]
MODERN ART IN THE CHURCHYARD.
" Observer " is quite right. Pseudo-Modern Art will not leave even our churchyards alone. Formerly one could seek peace and beauty in these gardens of remembrance, but nowadays it is difficult to find a churchyard where hideous monuments, strident in contour and hue, do not drive us back to the noise of busy thoroughfares far more soothing to mind and heart than such desecrated cemeteries.—A. CHESTER.
INTERCHANGE OF SPEAKERS AND PREACHERS Mr. Dugald Macfadyen writes to us from Letchworth, enclosing a copy of the Report of the Council on Interchange of Speakers and Preachers between the Churches of Great Britain and America, which can be obtained from 1 Brick Court, Middle Temple, E.C. 4. The Council's aim is to promote understanding and good will between Great Britain and the United States on the spiritual side, and claims to have had encouraging success since it was founded in 1917.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND : A CORRECTION.
In my letter published in your issue of March 21st, I find that I was misinformed as to the attitude of the Dean of Faculty to the Sheriff Court site. He now writes me that he voted in favour of it, and it is only right that I should make this correction.— EDW. T. SALVESEN, Dean Park House, Edinburgh.
MARGARET MCMILLAN.
I have been entrusted with the task of writing a record of the life and work of the late Margaret McMillan. It will assist materially if any of your readers will send to me any important letters, papers or pamphlets they may possess. Personal memories would be most helpful. All documents will be returned in due course.—ALBERT MANSBRIDGE, 38 High Oaks Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
FIRE-WALKING IN MALAYA.
It seems possible that the feet of the fire-walkers may have been treated with some preparation. Many years ago I asked the professional fire-eater and hot-iron-handler at Barnum's Show how the thing was done, and (in return for a substantial tip) he told me that the secret lay in the appli- cation of liquid storax. My impression at the time was that he was telling me the truth, but I have never experi- mented on those lines, nor can I find any printed evidence that liquid storax does prevent burns. In the old days of branding and of ordeal by fire, it was said that the knowing ones bribed the executioner to slip a slice of bacon between the brand and the skin.—ROBERT GLADSTONE, 9 Bluecoat Chambers, Liverpool.
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