SIR,—In the search for light and truth I have steadily
read the Spectator for years, and do sometimes find those pearls of great price in its pages; but the writer of an article on " Employment and Extravagance" in your issue for January 7th almost causes me to blaspheme by his manifest darkening of counsel with words. Ho refers to West Ham, and gives it a terrible character for all that is municipally shameful, but his statements are unjust and misleading. There is distress in the borough, it is true, but it has been grossly exaggerated by interested parties, and I fear that general relief funds such as are now being organised will only serve to increase the mischief. The houses, " jerry- built" so-called, are neither better nor worse than are built in other quarters of London, and the roads are not unpaved nor unlighted. It is not true to say the population have no local interests, and are employed with few exceptions else- where ; neither is it true to describe that population as of an almost pauper character. I am a friend of the Spectator, but a greater friend of truth, and therefore trouble you with this outburst from one who knows West Ham ; and though far from approving all that its Council has done, I cannot allow your readers to be misled by such incorrect statements as are
referred to above.—I am, Sir, &c., W. D. K.
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