[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Is it a fore-determined or foolish question to ask,— Why does it not strike rich and patriotic Englishmen to offer to the Royal Naval and Military Colleges of England Exhibitions, Scholarships—by whatever name such benefactions may be called—tenable preferentially by (of course otherwise well-qualified) sons of parents of limited means, throughout the College training course, and up to such date thereafter as may bring them an increment of pay, or "living wage," in their profession P How many a fit and keen young fellow is lost to either Service because his father cannot afford the cost of the College course and outfit, following the cost of training for the competition, and followed by that of uniform, &c., and of the first few years of a Service career ? Yet is it not relatively poor men's sons, with no prospects but their profession, who are the surest to stick to it, and is it too much to add, have hitherto figured as the best representatives of either Service ? Why should the Universities have the monopoly of Collegiate benefactions ? Far be it from me to disparage generous and cosmopolitan distributions of wealth, but if in days like these I were an English millionaire, I would rather render a Xurovoyta by helping a few young, worthy, and striving compatriots into the active naval or military service of their country, than by transplanting a number of foreign students from their own Alma Mater into the less simple, because wealthier, atmosphere of Oxford or Cambridge. For the former pious purpose, I beg to subscribe myself, yours, &c.,
A WOULD-BE MILLIONAIRE.
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