CHILDREN'S COUNTRY HOLIDAYS FUND. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "
SPECTATOR."' SIR,—W hen the schools are closed in August many of the children in the poorer quarters of London spend almost the whole of the hot summer days in the streets, thus losing the benefits which holiday time brings to more fortunate boys and girls, and which it should bring to all. If the children are delicate, they have no place to rest in except a room, which is too often overcrowded. If they wish to play, they have only the pavement for a playground, for the parks are out of reach of many of them. To such children the Children's Country Holidays Fund brings the opportunity of obtaining the health and enjoyment which are given by a fortnight spent in the country air and a country cottage. But if it is to do this good work adequately, it must receive adequate financial help. This year the donations are over £2,000 short of those received at the same date in 1905, while the number of children who are looking forward to the holiday (every one of whom has been saving its pennies for several months) is much larger, and amounts to over forty thousand. Unless it is to disappoint many, the Fund must receive another £7,000, or 21,500 more than its income of last year. One guinea will give two children a fortnight's holiday, a holiday which means increased health and richer memories. Donations should be sent to the hon. treasurer, the Earl of Arran, 18 Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C.—We are, Sir, &c., SAMUEL A. BARNETT, Chairman. ARRAN, Hon. Treasurer.
[We are deeply concerned to note the falling off in this admirable Fund, and trust that before the holiday time is over enough money will be received to prevent any of the children who have been looking forward throughout the year to their fortnight of health and happiness being obliged to feel the bitterness of disappointment. Here, at any rate, money may be given without the donors feeling that they are helping in the manufacture of paupers and in producing that moral degradation which is far worse than hunger or disease.—ED. Spectator.]
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