26 SEPTEMBER 1903, Page 18

ENGLISH AS SPOKEN IN IRELAND.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:9

Sin,—Your correspondent in the Spectator of September 5th errs in his correction of your previous correspondent on this subject. The expression "How well!" is a very common one in many parts of Ireland, and usually denotes sarcasm in the mind of the speaker. It would be used thus :—" How well Mary Kelly went on the excursion, an' her father only a week dead!" " Ah, well!" is often heard too, but it generally ex- presses resignation, and is never used at all in the sense your correspondent uses it in.—I am, Sir, &c.,

ETHEL GODDARD.

Donard Demesne, Donard, Co. Wicklow.