a little of your valuable space this year to plead the cause of the so-called "secular" Christmas Cards. Not only is Christmas the celebration of the birthday of Christ, it is a period of memories, when we review our Christian culture, Our own life in it and those of our friends. relatives and ancestors. In practice this review may not extend beyond the three generations or so that we may have known. I think I remember, however, Christmas Cards portraying carollers under the wall of the medieval castle and others depicting rejoicing and merriment in the Castle Halls? Then there are those little scenes-tiny figures trailing through snow to the lighted church-others seen dimly in moonlight. These surely. might belong to any age? What are these candles set in a window, these robins on a window sill? A lighted tree. a glittering table? Surely they represent our earliest Christmas memories, far back in childhood and infancy! Now look at these open doors with their glimpses of warm interiors, lighted casements, roaring fires, coaches driving merrily through the snow. passengers waiting to be taken up. Do these not recall to us the warm greeting, the welcome of relatives and friends, who we may long to see at this time? The Christmas season is for an-not only Catholic-not only.
even, Christian. It is a redeemed world and we are united at this season with all who are in good faith. Let us then. indulge in less "snootiness" and narrowness of outlook and poverty of understanding at least just for now! D. M. WHITE, Birch Cottage, Waenfair, Caernarvon.
Carols in Trafalgar Square I would like to draw your attention to a group of Catholic carol singers who are practising for the open air, for the Crusade of Rescue in Trafalgar Square. For three weeks I went along expecting to find only three or four people because of exceptionally wet weather on each evening. To my astonishment I found approximately50 people have been attending regularly each time and then having to travel a long journey afterwards. WILLIAM SHEARMAN, 238 Brompton Road. London, S.W.3.
Oscar Wilde SIR.-In his book The Church and Spiritualism, the late Fr, Thurston prints a letter from Mrs. Bellamy Storer, widow of a former American Ambassador, which states that "Pere Clerissac (the famous Dominican)" told her that he heard Oscar Wilde's confession on his death-bed, and that he died a Catholic and a repentant sinner.
Fr. Thurston adds that he had no opportunity of verifying the story, but it would be interesting to know if Fr. Joseph Smith could suggest any connection between Wilde and Pere Clerissac.
Mrs. Bellamy Storer said that the latter was a friend of Mgr. Hugh Benson, and that he made this admission at her house at Versailles.
Runt M. D. WAINEWRIGHT,
4 Collingham Road, S.W.5.
The Brown Scapular Correspondence on the subject of Saint Simon Stock and the Vision, in which the Brown Scapular was given to him by Our Blessed Lady. seems to be focusing the attention of the public on the side issues forgetting perhaps the remarkable privilege which is attached to the wearing of this Scapular. Quoting from a 1915 inexpensive booklet printed in Salford. with foreword and approbation by the Bishop of Salford, the full text of the promise is given on pp. 9 and 10, and reads thus; "This is the pledge of the privilege granted to thee and to all Carmelites: he who shall piously die wearing this habit shall be preserved from the eternal flames. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, a pledge of peace and of the covenant." MARINE W. SWAN (Miss), 22 Mount Carmel Chambers. • Duke's Lane, Kensington, W.8.
Badge for Catholics I should like to endorse the suggestion that the Miraculous Medal be used as a badge to be worn publicly by all Catholics. This badge could portray the back of the Medal; a cross surmounting the "M," the two Hearts underneath, and an oval border of twelve stars. There might be added some such motto as Otnnia in Christ°. This Miraculous Medal would seem to be the only medal directly ordered by Heaven itself, The apparitions of 1830 to St. Catherine Laboure in Paris, though of a private nature, are undoubtedly authentic. And the medal they give rise to is now, after 120 years, by far the best known Catholic medal throughout the world.-A PRIEST ON THE ALERT.
Anglo-Polish hospital
It is with deep concern that we observe the alarming increase in mental disease among Polish exiles in this country, the figures having risen during the past twelve months from a figure a little under 300 to over 700. The majority of these cases are attributable to the sufferings experienced by these unfortunate people during or after the late war, including the tragic strains of resettlement. unemployment and the division of families. We shall indeed he grateful for any gifts of sweets, cigarettes. nuts, etc., or of money, with which these goods can be purchased. They should be forwarded to me at this address. KENNETH STRUGNELL, Chairman Anglo-Polish Hospital Visiting Committee, The Polish Research Centre Ltd.. 51 Eaton Place, London, S.W.I.