' A GOLD AND SILVER COLLECTION.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Only- the stern necessity for reinforcing the funds to aid the sick and wounded and our prisoners would justify a new appeal to the generous British public. But the Gold and Silver Collection for which we are appealing on behalf of the British Red Cross has a treble object—to succour the wounded, to help our national financial stability by increasing the reserves of gold and silver in the Bank, and to save tonnage. For although gifts of plate of artistic or historic value will not be consigned to the melting-pot, the bulk of the metals for which we beg will be sent to the refiners and sold to the Mint as bullion. The Master of the Mint authorizes us to launch this scheme with his emphatic approval. We therefore ask each one of your readers to spare us something golden or something silver, according to their posses- sions; everything, whatever it is, will be most gratefully received and acknowledged. From those who have not a wealth of gold and silver plate we beg a single tablespoon, or fork, or cup, gold odds and ends of jewellery, or the old-fashioned settings of jewels. We ask for a contribution from every dinner-table or writing- table, dressing-table or jewel-case, where gold or silver is lying idle. Nothing is too small to be used; and nothing is too great to ask for those who have fallen in the defence of the Empire. Gold or silver cannot pay the price of our debt to our armies, but it can help to 'relieve the sufferings of war, and it can ease the burden of responsibility that is vicariously borne for us all. The gold and silver should bo sent or brought to the offices at 39 Old Bond Street, W. 1.—We are, Sir, &c., ELIZABETH ASQUITH ; AVA ASTOR; GRACE CURZON ; J. P. HEwETT ; SIDNEY MORSE; ELEANOR SANDHURST ; CONSTANCE STAHFORDHAH-
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