FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sut,—Mrs.

C. W. Kimmins has succeeded in obtaining the money required for the new buildings for her 365 crippled

children at the Heritage Craft Schools, Chailey, Sussex ; they have been erected and are to be opened by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales on July 19th. Thus a dream which seemed almost impossible of realization, during these difficult days, has come true.

May I remind your readers briefly of what is being done and what is still to do at Chailey in saving young lives ? Much has been accomplished : the £25,000 originally asked for has been obtained ; but a further £10,000 is still required for the furnish- ing and equipment of the new buildings, and for the restoration of those parts of the old which are still fit for use : until this sum is collected Mrs. Kimmins cannot crown her work of twenty-nine years with full 'achievement. Eighteen months ago I wrote :

" When you see these children, wreckage of our life in cities, being carried into the operating ward with a smile on their faces ; and when you see them lying in all sorts of positions, some face down, some flat on their backs, others slung by neck or ankles, but so bravo, so patient, so keen to do anything that their twisted limbs can compass, you see the spirit that makes England great."

I felt that spirit more strongly then ever, when I attended Morning Service at Chailey last Sunday, in St. Martin's Chapel. The cripples' choir came in in procession, singing :

"Ho 'lath sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat, 0 be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant my feet !"

They limped up the aisle, carrying banners, while the organ swelled above them, and the light fell on rapt faces and clear eyes lifted towards the altar :

" In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me."

They were transfigured. The day of miracles is not past.

And we who had come into this little chapel, into this world of suffering and heroism from the normal two-fisted, straight- limbed world, were also changed : we were both humbled and exalted : our crosses were light compared to those that these children bore so gaily, bravely, proudly.

I wish some of the rich neurotics one meets. in the world could see how these boys and girls face their difficulties : they would learn from them certain truths about health and happi- ness that they will not acquire elsewhere : their guineas would be better given to cheerful Mrs. Kimmins rather than to long- faced psycho-analysts. But that is an idle wish : neurotics will not look beyond their narrow world. We who are healthy, and can see things in proportion, will find a very wonderful spirit at Chailey : a spirit that will reward us tenfold for any- thing we may do for the place.

I cannot here describe the new buildings—no doubt that will he done in the newspapers—nor repeat what I have already written of the workshops, schoolrooms, playing fields, sun- bathing terraces. My. purpose is to glance at the future. Chailey is already " the public school of crippledom," thanks to Mrs. Kimmins, and to the support and inspiration of the Prince of Wales and many other generous helpers, but it is not yet completely equipped.

St. Martin's Chapel is the centre of the work being done for the boys. From it the patients draw that inner strength without which outer healing is hard to come by. But many of the most serious cases under treatment cannot come to church : they must lie through the long days and nights on their beds, sometimes with 'weights on their limbs, or harnessed to an iron apparatus, and often in great pain.

For them Mrs. Kimmins wants to make an inclined way, down which they can be carried in stretchers to the Chapel.

Think what this would mean to many of the small sufferers, in change and excitement, in renewal of hope and loosing of infirmity ! He who was sick of the palsy and was " let down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus " was healed because of his faith.

Further requirements at Chailey are a Nurses' Hostel, a Secretarial Block and a much-needed extension to the

Hospital. Then the work will be complete, and the workers free to turn all their attention to the children, instead of dissipating some of their energy in begging. This is an appeal for funds ; but, more than that, it is a suggestion that readers of the Spectator should acqur int themselves personally with the work being done at the Heritage Craft Schools. They will benefit from such inquiries quite as much as those at Chailey will, for they will be in touch with a centre from which radiate faith, friendliness, courage, and sometimes miraculous healing.—I am, Sir, &c.,

F. YEATs-Baowsz.