The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War
Page 13
In sheer desperation I have been driven to the literature of the law. I have, for instance, gambolled in the sunshine of Torts. Coke upon Littleton has been my charm, and I have passed on to Halsbury’s Laws of England, with The Institutes of Justinian as a delicate snack.
At this moment of parochial dictation, I shall, with the permission of those enlightened folk who govern me, pass on to brighter fare, and perforce, ponder over The Literature of the Graveyard, Meditations among the Tombs, Dr Blair’s Sermons, Bunyan’s Holy War, and Fox’s Book of Martyrs. And when I am satiated with this inspiriting fare I shall delve into Notes on a Case of Self-inoculation with the Bacillus Aerogenes Capsulatus, and close my researches with a work dealing with Investigation of the Brain and Nervous System, in order, if possible, to discover the genesis of the stupid decision to which, with your permission, I venture to draw attention. I wonder what the late Sir George Newnes, the donor of the library, would think of this official action?
Yours, &c.,
E.P.N.
Putney
3 November 1915
BAN OF THE LIBRARIAN
Fiction in Wartime
SIR – Your correspondent ‘E.P.N.’ must be a very subtle humourist. To begin with, though our days are sad, they are by no means ‘dull’. At the present crisis there is no excuse for being dull for want of something to read. No fiction can have such brilliant interest as the realities furnished by the daily papers. The youngster who is thirsting for Coral Island might safely be directed to your own pages of today, and, with the assistance of maps and an occasional glance at the encyclopedia would be entertained, as well as assisted in his intellectual development. As to the iniquity of the Wandsworth Borough Council, and the stupid instincts of the Library Committee, the process of restriction which ‘E.P.N.’ complains of is only part of the great plan of self-denial and economy to which we have been called in these ‘sad’ times. It is not our business to complain of petty deprivations. It is even possible to derive profit from this chastening. And to make a grievance of what is already harassing the librarians and other officials is not worthy of a true citizen.
So, I would not have ‘E.P.N.’ give way to discontent. Happy indeed is he if he can find solace in Dr Blair or Lord Halsbury, or ‘Justinian’. Fortunate indeed is he if his own personal anxieties arising from the war do not entirely preclude some sympathy with others beside novel-readers!
Yours obediently,
Edward Smith
Wandsworth
THE LIBRARY RATE
SIR – I have read with interest the letter of ‘E.P.N.’ on the subject of the libraries in the borough of Wandsworth not issuing fiction during the period of the war. I understand from the librarians that it is owing to the small staff now employed (owing to enlistment, &c.) and for economy. I think ‘E.P.N.’ cannot have seen the crowds (especially on a Saturday) waiting for issue of novels, which was as much as the full staff could cope with. The lending department of one of the libraries in the borough has been closed entirely for several months, and I recently read that some boroughs are debating whether to close all their libraries entirely, or at any rate some of them.
It seems to me to be an occupation in which girls could well be employed, if it is only due to difficulty of obtaining assistants. Presumably if the libraries are to be closed the library rate will be dropped, or if partly closed the rate to be halved, but I have not heard of any suggestion of the kind yet.
Yours faithfully,
H.W.
A TIMELY PROTEST
SIR – Your correspondent, ‘E.P.N.’, who enters a timely protest against the decision of the Wandsworth Borough Council to stop the issue of fiction at its public libraries, has by no means exhausted the various classes of literature to which the rate-payers and their children will now be compelled to turn to pass the long winter evenings. There are, for instance, quite a number of interesting books on plumbing and grand opera, catalogues of coins, manuscripts, &c., in the British Museum; biographies of people little known and still less remembered; there are the poets and the other poets; and, last but not least, the Borough Council minutes.
What, it might be asked, has prompted the Council to ban fiction? It cannot be on the plea of economy, for the public library rate has not been altered. The only explanation would appear to be that the Council considers that this is no time for the reading of light literature, and so they propose to add to the gloom of our already gloomy lives.
I am, Sir,
E.J.F.
Putney
4 November 1915
MUNICIPAL EXPENDITURE
SIR – The Shoreditch Metropolitan Borough Council has just refitted its council chamber with elaborate new furniture at a cost of £750, and the National War Relief Fund has made a grant of half the amount for the employment of local men.
A more flagrant misapplication of local rates, local labour and national charity can hardly be conceived at the present crisis.
Yours truly,
W.C. Johnson
County Hall, Spring Gardens, S.W.
5 November 1915
PORRIDGE IN THE KITCHEN
SIR – On 1 November I consider the season of the year has arrived when porridge is desirable for breakfast, and have it served for my son and self. I told my cook to make porridge for the kitchen as well as the room. Result, one of my servants has given me notice because she considers such food is not fit to work on, and I quite expect the like reply from her fellow parlourmaid. I keep three indoor servants, and the family consists of my son and self, as stated above.
This is the outcome of trying to put into practice the Prime Minister’s recommendation for wartime. I might mention that the porridge was to be followed by cold ham.
Yours faithfully,
Widower
London
8 November 1915
‘CHRISTMAS IN WARTIME’
Albert Hall Bazaar
SIR – As president of the Prisoners of War Section of the Christmas in Wartime Bazaar, to be held at the Royal Albert Hall on 8 December, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, I appeal to the generosity of the public, which has never failed to accord its sympathy and support to any object which conduces to the comfort and well-being of our gallant soldiers and sailors.
At Christmas, when all our thoughts turn to all who are dearest to us; surely we shall not forget those who are cut off from the joys of home and family, and, having risked their lives in the service of their King and country, are now enduring the grievous penalty of imprisonment in a foreign land, where they suffer hardships in lieu of the affectionate care they have nobly merited.
The following articles have been suggested by the organisers of relief provided for our men in German prisons: socks, mufflers, &c., preserved foods of all kinds, cigarettes and smoking necessaries, games and plain Christmas cakes and puddings. If each housewife, in making preparations for her own family, would make one extra plain 3 lb pudding or cake and send it to the ‘Christmas in Wartime’, a double benefit would be conferred – a prisoner would have Christmas fare, and the Professional Classes War Relief Fund will be augmented.
It is proposed to have a number of parcels ready packed with the contributions received, in order that they may be purchased and despatched immediately to the prisoners.
Alice Princess Alexander of Teck
13–14 Prince’s Gate, S.W.
9 November 1915
PRESS AND THE WAR
SIR – Your justly indignant article dealing with the false rumours regarding Lord Kitchener suggests an effective, if only partial, remedy for scaremongering. As the writer of the article remarks, the effect of last night’s untrue announcement in London was instantaneous and disquieting. This was chiefly due to the rushing out of sensational bills by one or two evening papers. One was made to read, ‘Lord Kitchener Resigns’ – this in colossal letters, and merely upon the strength of a bald, unauthorised statement which obviously carried no weight. All the mischief
, here in London at any rate, was caused by these placards. This is, of course, not an isolated instance; London streets have since the war began palpitated every afternoon and evening with spurious excitement fomented by the unholy competition of the fabricators of these pestiferous posters. Measures were taken in Paris early in the war to suppress the evil, but here at home it is allowed free play.
Why not stop the issue of all evening paper placards and prohibit the shouting out of news? This would involve no interference with the liberty of the press; all the latest intelligence would still be published, subject to censorship; the citizen could continue to buy his favourite evening paper; he would not be gulled into buying another against his will; our streets would be more tolerable in the matter of noises, and freer from unhealthy excitement; and we should all read the veritable news of the day in a properly balanced frame of mind. The comparatively sober and genuine contents bills of the morning papers might remain, but these mendacious copper-snatching réclame sheets should be suppressed, or, at any rate, strictly censored, until victory has been achieved, and perhaps after.
I am, yours obediently,
One Jealous of the Honour of the Press
London
MASSAGE FOR THE WOUNDED
SIR – May I be allowed, through the medium of your columns, to draw attention to the very pressing need for the treatment by massage and electricity for the wounded soldiers.
The Almeric Paget Massage Corps has been in existence since the beginning of the war, and is the official organisation, recognised by the War Office, for the supply of masseurs and masseuses for the military hospitals and convalescent camps throughout the United Kingdom.
The need for this form of treatment is increasing daily, and large camps are now being opened all over the county, besides those already in existence, where electrical and massage departments are to be a special feature. It is, therefore, necessary to procure the services of a very large number of masseuses, in addition to those already working on the corps, which now amount to about 700.
The qualifications, without which no application for enrolment on the Almeric Paget Massage Corps can be entertained, are:
1. A certificate of the Incorporated Society of Trained Masseuses; or
2. A certificate of a physical training college recognised by the Ling Association; or
3. A certificate of one of the public hospital schools of massage; or
4. A certificate dated prior to 1 January 1916, of any of the schools of massage approved by the War Office, provided that the candidate can produce two satisfactory references from qualified doctors who can speak from personal knowledge of the candidate’s work and character at any time during the three years immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment on the corps.
Applicants should forward their names, addresses and qualifications as soon as possible to me at 39 Berkeley Square, London W.
Yours faithfully,
Essex French, Hon. Secretary, APMC
39 Berkeley Square, W.
13 November 1915
CARE OF HORSES IN WARTIME
Lady Smith-Dorrien’s Appeal
SIR – This great European war is, I am well aware, taxing the charitable and patriotic to the very utmost; but there is one especially worthy object which, I submit, should not be overlooked, and that is the alleviation of the sufferings of our horses.
Without horses war could not be waged. Thus, apart from the humane side of the question, the reduction of wastage amongst them must be a matter of great moment to the cause. In 1912 ‘Our Dumb Friends League’ started a branch called the Blue Cross Fund, which aimed at the care of horses in wartime.
This organisation is now firmly established, and has four large hospitals in France, which, opened at the commencement of the war, have not only widened their field of action, but have increased in efficiency during the past year. These hospitals have received full recognition from the French Government, and our offers of help for French horses have been gratefully accepted and freely taken advantage of. Indeed, some 2,000 wounded horses have been cured in our stables, the normal number of horses under our care being 600 or 700.
In addition to the care of animals, we have been able to supply large quantities of medicines, instruments, bandages, horse clothing, disinfectants, fly nets, &c., not only to mounted corps of the regular British and Indian and Territorial armies, but also to those raised for the help of the Empire by our great self-governing Dominions, the commanding officers of many of which have written most gratifying letters of thanks and appreciation.
Over £3,000 a month is needed to carry on this work on its present scale, and up to date we have received this amount from lovers of horses from all parts of the Empire. In view, however, of the extended duration of the war, the committee are naturally solicitous as to whether this flow of subscriptions can be maintained, and it is on this account I am making this further appeal for subscriptions, which may be sent to me addressed as follows: Lady Smith-Dorrien, president Blue Cross Fund, 58 Victoria Street, London S.W.
Yours truly,
Olive Smith-Dorrien
21 Eaton Terrace, S.W.
16 November 1915
EGGS FOR OUR WOUNDED
A Suburban Fowlhouse
SIR – Will you please grant me space for a few words in connection with the above important subject?
Soon after the war started I, with many others, realised that whilst our egg supply was bound to be enormously reduced, the demand, especially for our soldiers’ and sailors’ hospitals, would go up by leaps and bounds. So, as I am unfortunately about twenty-five years on the wrong side of the military age limit, I determined to do my utmost to supply some of this demand. For this purpose I erected a fowlhouse and run in my garden, purchased some pullets, and I am pleased to say during the last nine or ten months I have been able to send some hundreds of new-laid eggs to a large hospital in my neighbourhood. But I have been reckoning without my neighbour, who, incredible as it seems, and knowing as he does my purpose in keeping fowls, has called in the Borough Council inspector, who, though honestly admitting the perfect sanitary condition of both house and run and fowls, has – on the ground that the erection is a few inches higher than the legal height and a few inches nearer to a dwelling-house than the legal distance – ordered me to pull it down.
I do not propose to obey this order; at any rate, just yet, because I believe I read some weeks back that the Government are considering the best way to remove these very restrictions.
If that is so, I intend to defend my fort to the bitter end, in the hope that they may be able to hurry up to my assistance and to the assistance, I am sure, of many other citizens who are trying to help, and not like my curious neighbour, trying to hinder, our poor wounded lads. Strangely enough, my neighbour on the other side of me cannot do enough for my ‘khaki’ pullets, but saves all the household scraps for them. How different folk are.
Yours faithfully,
X
London
19 November 1915
THE KING’S EXAMPLE
A Duty of the Hour
SIR – This is a critical moment in our history, when every one of us would wish to share the sacrifice which our soldiers and sailors are making for their country. One way of sharing the sacrifice is by a self-denying economy. Our statesmen tell us that this is today a pressing national duty. Our current outlay of over four million a day on the war is, to use the Prime Minister’s most recent words, ‘gigantic and startling’. Economy, with prices rising all round, is no doubt difficult to effect. But there is one economy possible to almost all, which, if we will adopt it, would bring about an enormous reduction of national expenditure, yet one not taking from – indeed, adding to – our strength, and that is to abstain altogether from alcoholic drinks for ordinary use during the war. Six months ago our King challenged us by his own public example to do this. Our religious leaders have reputedly echoed the challenge. Why have so many of us been unresponsiv
e? Surely, now that the appeal for national economy, to the point of personal sacrifice in every possible way, has gained an urgency obvious to everyone, the moment has more than come to effect this great saving for the common cause.
C. Oxon
Vernon Bartlet
A.J. Carlyle
H.S. Holland
T.H. Archer Houblon
W. Lock
Gilbert Murray
W. Osler
R.L. Ottley
L.R. Phelps
W.B. Selbie
Oxford
8 December 1915
COMFORTS FOR WELSH TROOPS
National Fund Appeal
SIR – The ever-growing number of Welsh soldiers, of which a very considerable proportion is now serving overseas, has added enormously to the claims upon the National Fund for Welsh Troops; and I have once again to appeal to the generosity and sympathy of all friends and well-wishers for a continuance of the aid that has been freely given to the National Fund since its inception. The letters received from commanding officers bear ample testimony to the value of the services rendered by the fund in adding to the comfort and well-being of Welsh troops, who have so gallantly responded to their country’s call.
So far every requisition received has been complied with, but the work done hitherto is small compared with the needs of the present winter. Help can be given in various ways: