LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S METHODS OF CHARITY [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin.--The following may prove of interest to your traders. It has been said and often repeated that Queen Alexandra, in the unbounded generosity of her nature, was perhaps almost too eager to meet a demand for assistance without first assuring herself as to whether the case Was genuine. I should like to quote an instance to the contrary.
Returning from a walk with my husband, some years ago. Upon entering the hall of our London house, I was confronted by a man whom I did not know and who had been awaiting my arrival for some time. Moreover, he had made two previous calls on days when I was away from home, refusing each time to give either his name or the nature of his errand. I was somewhat startled, but was reassured by my husband who recognized and greeted the visitor--a retired detective from the Police Staff of the House of Commons. The man said : .-" My business is with Lady Battersea, I should like to Spe4k with her alone." Whereupon, in my room, he informed me that he came from Queen Alexandra who was anxious to obtain reliable information concerning a woman in whom Her Majesty had been told I was specially interested. The woman had been known to me as a notorious case in the Convict Prison at Aylesbury, where I was one of the Visitors appointed by the Home Office, and in writing to Queen' Alexandra, on her release. she had referred to Inc as one who would - be -likely to corroborate her -story. Anxious to feel that she would be acting wisely in giving help to the suppliant, Her Majesty
had sent her messenger to me to obtain the information she required. -I gave my view concerning the unfortunate woman--I fear not a very satisfactory one--and asked- whether any response had already been made. The man smiled, saying, the conditions placed before Her Majesty had appeared so serious that the Queen, with her warm and ready sympathy for those in trouble, could not leave the petitioner unanswered whilst she was making the necessary investigations. I understood—but recognized that eVidently in this case generosity of heart had gone hand in hand with foresight and prudence.--I am, Sir, &c.,
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