pro THZ EDITOR OP THE "srxerAzote."1
Stu,—With reference to the article on the above subject in your issue of May 13th, the idea of the collection of a million stamps for a philanthropic purpose is not entirely without foundation, for there are two orphan asylums in Switzerland, the "Attila des Billodes " and the " Institut Bethleem," which
are partly supported by the income derived from the sale of used postage-stamps, which are collected for and presented to them by sympathisers all over the world, these collections being organised by religious institutions at various centres. The stamps, which consist chiefly of the countries of Europe and America, are sold by weight, and to give you some idea of the extent to which this collecting is carried on, we may mention the fact that at one of the institutions named there are in stock and for sale at this moment over twenty tons of stamps. About six thousand stamps with paper adhering to the back weigh a pound ; twenty tons would therefore be approximately two hundred and seventy million stamps.—We are, Sir, &c., [We cannot publish any more letters on this subject. It is clear, however, that a million stamps have, in fact, a considerable value,—though apparently chiefly as a deposit in which a certain number of rare stamps may possibly be discovered.—En. Spectator.]
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