1 JULY 1949, Page 22

" THE CROSSNESS " SIR,—In spite of Mr. Roberts's housekeeper,

I stick to my guns. If one is to generalise—and Mr. Graves was generalising—then it is true to say that " the crossness " is a predominantly Northern expression "Ind that Southerners normally call 1919-1922 " the troubles." (Remember, Mr. Graves had a Northerner to show him round.) I would hate to start a discussion on shades of Irish meanings, but it has been put to me that when " the crossness " is used in the South it means the Civil War (a little bit of bother between friends), whereas the Black and Tan fighting really was a " troubled time."—Yours, &c.,

2 Ashley House, Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

'IMMIX KNOX.