14 FEBRUARY 1925, Page 13

THE EARL OF OXFORD [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—Reading through Swifts Journal to Stella two days ago I came across the following sentence "May 24, 1711. Mr. Harley's patent passed this morning ; he is now Earl of Oxford, Earl Mortimer, and Lord Harley of Wigmore Castle." The next day Swift writes : "My Lord Oxford can't yet abide to be called my lord ; and when I called him my lord, he

called me Dr. Thomas Swift."--I am, Sir, &e., T. W.