27 MARCH 1953, Page 7

The attacks by fanatical Scots on pillar-boxes, public vehicles and

Coronation souvenirs bearing the legend E II R are petulant, childish and inexcusable. All the same, and altogether irrespective of that, I feel increasingly that the intrusion of the II between the E and the R is unaesthetic and totally unnecessary. Everyone knows that there was a former Elizabeth of England, with whom_ the present Elizabeth of Great Britain is in no danger of being confused. I was brought up to familiarity with the dignified V.R. E.R. is quite as dignified. E II R is not. Nor was G VI R. But think of precedent, it will be protested. The right way to treat precedents is to observe them till they can be improved, and then have no hesitation in improving them.

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