MRS. HAROLD BROWNE AND THE " ECHO."
ITo THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."' Slit,—Do you not, in your article of the 31st ult., unintentionally misrepresent the references to Mrs. Harold Browne in the Echo of January 29th ? You say :—" The Echo on Thursday held-up Mrs. Harold Browne, the wife of the Bishop of Winchester, to detestation, because she suggested a minute subscription from the ladies of Hampshire for a wedding-gift to Princess Beatrice. The money should, it is intimated, be given to the poor."
Your statement suggests, I think, that the Echo published a personal attack on Mrs. Browne. On referring to the Echo paragraphs, I find that the writer carefully emphasised the fact that this subscription was a work of Church organisation ; that the letter, written by the Bishop's wife from the Bishop's Palace, was addressed to the ladies of " the diocese of Winchester;" and that the proposal was clearly to organise a Church subscription, using every Church influence in the diocese, for a wedding-present to the Princess Beatrice.
I do not think the Echo concerns itself with the attentions paid by Mrs. Harold Browne, or any other lady of the aristocratic caste, to the Court. But like other Radicals who agitate for Disestablishment, and attack the privileges of an aristocratic Church, the writers of the Echo criticise closely all the public work of that Church, whether it be the votes of Bishops in the House of Lords, or the public movements set on foot in " the diocese of Winchester," by the Bishop's wife, as wife of the Bishop. Whether the Echo does, as you urge, exaggerate the " duties " of property, and depreciate its " rights," I cannot discuss ; but in the case you have cited, I believe you hare represented as a personal or " class " attack what was intended simply as a complaint against the aristocratic leanings of the State Church and against Episcopal neglect of the poor.—I am, Sir, &c..
6 Pump Court. Temple, E.C. Mr.avys: L. HAWKEI.
[Mrs. Harold Browne naturally dates her letters from her own house, as any other lady would; and. as naturally, restricted her effort to the district which first occurred to her. The wives of Bishops are not members of the ecclesiastical organisation, and should be as much outside comment as any other private persons.—Ell. Spertot”).
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