THE OLD MILL AT BERKHAMSTED [To the Editor of the

SPECTATOR.] " In hac rips molae steterunt mille per annos

alimentumque praebuerunt donee utilitatibus scholae aeque altricis cesserunt ammo domini MCMXXVII."

Sin,—A few weeks ago you kindly allowed me to let it be known through your columns that a competition had been opened for the best translation of the above inscription into

English verse. The response was quite remarkable, and a very large number of entries was received from all parts of the country and the Continent. Many competitors expressed appreciation of the scholarship shown by the author of the inscription, Mr. F. Dale, of Berkhamsted School. A committee was formed to judge the entries, 'composed of Mr. E. A. Mitchell-Innes, K.C., Mr. L. Granville Ram and the Head- master of Berkhamsted School, and the entries were submitted to them without disclosing the names of the competitors. The first prize goes to Professor L. M. Lyde, of University

College, London, closely followed for second place by Mr. H. L. 0. Flecker, of Marlborough College, appropriately enough Headmaster-Elect of Berkhamsted School.

Some inhabitants of Berkhamsted who regret the dis- appearance of the Old Mill will appreciate the humorous turn given by one of the lady competitors, who could not resist departing from the Latin original in order to cast a stone at the instigator of the competition by sending in the following :

" Here for a thousand years a mill has been Until pulled down by Mr. Edward Greene."

But I was consoled for this uncalled-for aggression by . another competitor who wrote " Many thanks for originating

a stimulating pastime." As one competitor sent in seven different versions of his poetic inspiration, I am inclined to think that thOse who attempted the translation found some amusement in doing so: I append the winning lines and a few more of those selected by the Committee for commendation in order of merit. 1st.--Professor L. W. Lyde, University College, London.

" Here for a thousand years the old mills stood, And gave us bread, Here now our school in rival Motherhood Feeds minds instead." .

2nd.--Mr: H. L. 0. Flecker, Marlborough College.

" 0 passer by, a thousand years have sped

Since first a mill stood here and gave men bread.

.. The School for nobler needs then claimed her own ; For man, Old Mill, lives not by bread alone." 3rd. —Mr. J: G. Sinam.s, New College, Oxford..

" Gone are the mills that by this river-bed Our bodies fed : And in their place a mightier mill shall grind To feed our mind."

4th.—Mr. J. Georgeson, 61 Carlton Place, Aberdeen.

" Here where a flour mill generations fed, A school, alike for nurture, stands instead."

!int.—Miss E. Tunks, 33 Park Hill Road, Sidcup.

"For men, a thousand years the mill gave bread ; Its service done, the labouring wheel is still. Now in its place the School gives other bread— Of no less service than the ancient mill."

am, Sir, &c., The Hall, Berkhamsted, Herts. EDWARD GREENE.