Silt,—Mr. H. W. Massingham must be singularly destitute of mechanical
instinct if he finds that the whole pleasure of motoring is speed (see Spectator, June 11th). This may be his own individual experience, but there are certainly many not unintelligent persons who derive great pleasure from driving motors for reasons quite apart from the question of speed altogether. The motor-car, as at present developed, is one of the most remarkable triumphs of human ingenuity. To any one with mechanical tastes it is a vastly more interesting thing than a horse, if for no other reason than that it is no mere result of natural reproduction, but is entirely the creation and handiwork of man. The successful driving of a motor- car requires considerable knowledge, experience, and skill, and can be made quite an intellectual pursuit. Mr. Massingham talks of motoring as "a Philistine's pastime," but evidently he himself is a complete " Philistine " so far as concerns the mechanical sciences, which in recent times have altered the whole conditions of life on this planet.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A. A. C. S.
THE HEART OF THE CHEVIOTS.
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