28 FEBRUARY 1891, Page 17

"RETRACTION" OR "RETRACTATION " ?

[To THE EDITOR OF TIIE " SFECTATOIt."]

Sin,—Thrice (in p. 279) you speak of " retractation," meaning, not the revising, but the retracting of a statement made, Are we obliged thus to misuse a word that is well enough in its proper place ? And who, if not the Spectator, will be bold enough to break the spell ? I am far from wishing to make