5 FEBRUARY 1910, Page 19

LORD ASHTON'S MANIFESTO.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:]

SIR,—The Spectator never, we all know, would wittingly be unkind in its criticisms ; but if it knew its Lancaster as well as it does its London, it would not have allowed itself to be quite so hard on Lord Ashton (see Spectator, January 29th, p. 167), who has been an honest and impartial benefactor to the town in every way, quite independent of politics or religion. I may add that I have no personal dealings of any sort with Lord Ashton, and am neither in the same county nor diocese. Merely as a neighbour, I write to prevent a just and Christian-spirited man, even though he be a Lord, from being unduly misunderstood.—I am, Sir, &c.,