The Spectator

The Spectator at war: A heroic little nation

From ‘A review of the war’, The Spectator, 19 September 1914: It is the duty of all English publicists to make people here understand the splendid heroism with which the Servians have fought. They have contributed very greatly to the overthrow of Austria, and their brave Army and nation deserve all the help and encouragement

From the archives | 18 September 2014

From ‘A review of the war’, The Spectator, 19 September 1914: It is the duty of all English publicists to make people here understand the splendid heroism with which the Servians have fought. They have contributed very greatly to the overthrow of Austria, and their brave Army and nation deserve all the help and encouragement that

The Spectator at war: Advice for Italy

From ‘News of the Week’ in The Spectator, 19 September 1914: As friends of Italy, we feel bound to point out once more that she will make a capital error if she does not take action at once and join the Entente, and join it not in a half-hearted but in a whole-hearted way. To

The Spectator at war: The cant of caution

From The Spectator, 19 September 1914: WHAT a nefarious little person is the captious critic! His watchword is caution, and he goes about damping down the fires of enthusiasm, only happy when be can hear some aspiring little flame fizzling out. At present he is enjoying himself hugely. All good people are registering rash vows

The Spectator at war: A review of the war

From The Spectator, 19 September 1914: ON September 5th we wrote: “We and the French have got the wolf by one ear and the Russians have got him by the other, and though he may use his teeth with terrible effect, if we have the hardihood and patience to hold on we shall finish him

The Spectator at war: A word to America

From The Spectator, 12 September 1914: WE desire to address a word to the American people, a word which must be spoken, though we are fully aware that it will be liable to misunderstanding and misconstruction, and is certain to be distorted by those whose business it is to exercise pressure upon American opinion in

The Spectator at war: A naval howler

A reader’s letter from The Spectator, 12 September 1914: [To the Editor of The Spectator] Sir, I am afraid your correspondent “Ex-Scholar” (Spectator, September 5th), in quoting a “howler,” has committed a little one himself. The incident of the sacred chickens to which he alludes did not take place in the “first sea fight between

The Spectator at war: The King’s message

From The Spectator, 12 September 1914: The King’s message addressed “To the Governments and Peoples of My Self-Governing Dominions,” published to the world on Wednesday, is noble in its sincerity of word and thought. What could be said better or with a truer dignity than the following: ‘Had I stood aside when, in defiance of

Eggs 2

‘Your Excellency, Monsieur Fabergé called by and wanted to know if you’re going to pay his overdue bill.’