CLASS HATRED.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."' Sin,—I should like to say a few words with reference to Miss Loane's article on " Class Hatred." Generally speaking, I think class hatred does not exist. How far " class " exists is a question the answer to which would be probably very sur- prising. The criterion of birth is being gradually rejected; the criterion of money does not allow of division into "classes," as most people think ; the criterion of intellect is really hardly recognised ; the criterion of moral worth does not exist. Snobbishness, conceit—egotism in every shape and form—are found in all " grades of society "; and they are always the offspring of ignorance and delusion bombastically announcing themselves as prudence and worth. If I say that, among other things, I have been a milk-carrier, an engineering pupil, a university student, and have worn the King's uniform, I may be allowed to feel that I have met members of most "classes." I have seen tyranny and cruelty, to say nothing of blatant self-opinionativeness among the working classes; I have heard a King's consideration for " popular " feeling adversely criticised by a retired tradesman; I have met students whose blood has risen at the word " Royal " ; I have seen university men almost trembling at the beck and call of their academic inferiors; I have seen professional dignity supported by " sweating " worthy of the East End ; I have seen spirituality in the Army. I have not had much to do with "blood aristocrats," but, judging from their printed utterances, they are equally heterogeneous.
The true man is equally at home among rich or poor, is prepared to meet with any contingency, knows how to act under any circumstances—like Him who, Himself poor, loved the rich young man, but said : " It is as hard," &c.—I am,
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