MISS BETHAM-EDWARDS—A JUBILEE TESTIMONIAL.
ITO Tele EDITOR Opts. ..seiremse...; Sin,—On behalf of the General Committee, I write to ask the courtesy of your columns to draw attention to the Jubilee Testimonial which is to be given to Miss Betham-Edwards. A niece of Sir William Betham, Ulster King-at-Arms, and Matilda Betham (friend of Charles and Mary Lamb), Miss Betham-Edwards has just completed fifty years of literary work All that she has written has commanded publication. Her most eminent literary services, however, are the volumes about French life, which have given to English people, as no other books have done, a sense of the charm of French character as seen in rural surroundings. By her insight and sympathy Miss Betham-Edwards thus prepared the way for the good understanding between the two countries which at the present moment is so much gratification to both. In 1891 the French Government, in recognition of the range of observation and literary qualities of her books, conferred on Miss Betham-Edwards the dignity of " Officier de l'Instruction Publique de France." She was the first English lady thus honoured. This international work has been continued almost to date, one volume, "Home Life in France," having been issued quite lately. Having regard, however, to the very trying illness which Miss BethantEdwards has undergone, it is feared that her literary career is now closed. She is residing in a little villa at Hastings, having received a Civil List award to assist her in her later days. The testimonial will be gratifying and useful. The General Committee who have given their names gladly to this proposal Include :—The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, the Right Hon. Lord Brassey, G.C.B., the Right Hon. Lord Courtney of Penwith, the Lord Bishop of Ripon, the Very Rev. Dean Kitchin, Baron Tanchnitz, Sir Thomas Barclay, Sir F. Lacy Robinson, K.C.B, Sir Edward Russell, Mr. J. H. Barrie, Rev. Dr. G. S. Barrett, Alderman Herman Biddell, Mr. Herbert Blackett (Hurst and Blackett), Mr. Percy Clarke (Christian World.), Mr. Felix T. Cobbold, M.P., Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., Mr. R. L. Everett, M.P., Mr. F. G. Green (Dean and Son), Mr. Frederic Harrison, Mr. R. C. Lehmann, M.P., Rev. Dr. Campbell Morgan, Mr. Arthur 0. Mndie, the F,ev. Dr. Robertson Nicoll, "Mark Rutherford," Mr. W. H. Sands (hon. secretary L'Entente Cordials), Mr. Clement K. Shorter, Mr. Reginald Smith, B.C., Mr. Arthur Spurgeon, Mr. J. A. Spender, Mr. H. C. Wilmott (manager of Lloyds Bank, Hastings), Mr. F. W. Wilson (president of the Institute of Journalists). Mr. Edward Cledd has consented to be hon. treasurer, and receive subscriptions addressed to him at the London Joint Stock Bank, 3 Princes Street, E.C.—I am, Sir, Sze., W. N. SHIN8FIELD, Hon. Secretary. Albany Chambers, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W.
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