[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR. 1
SIR, —I have carefully read your article on " English Commerce and English Education," which has given rise to the letter of "A Birmingham Merchant" in your issue of July 17th. As the editor of several trade journals, I feel bound to own the truth of your statements. The Continental languages are not universally known in the offices of English manufacturers, and the fact that the Germans are excellent linguists is one vital factor in their present commercial ascendency. From a personal knowledge of America, I am compelled to think that their public and private school education is of a better commercial character than ours.
Whenever British manufacturers have found a difficulty it has been overcome, and now that the need. is felt for a knowledge of the Continental languages, and the necessity is clearly recognised for adapting goods to the particular foreign market for which they are intended, we shall, I believe, soon be fully abreast with these requirements. . Commercial museums should be established in all centres of trade, as these to be of use must be local. Free public libraries afford the best means for the adoption of these museums, in order that they may become public property, and be under the administration of the representative authorities of the town in which they are situated.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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