[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
it too late to follow the lead given by Lord Curzon in his speech at Glasgow on November 25th, in which he stigmatised the word " Referendum " as a "pseudo-classical monstrosity"? It may be a slight matter that "Referendum" signifies, according to the rules of Latin grammar, something very different from what it professes to mean ; but a very real objection attaches to the word on the score of its uncouth sound and outlandish appearance. By advertising the institution under its present moustachioed name you invite the retort that it is an undesirable alien whom we must not permit to be dumped upon our island. Now that opponents of the measure threaten to combat it by all available means, the danger lurking in a name that was " made in Germany" can no longer be regarded as irrelevant to practical politics. If therefore the present title has not become canonised by long usage, would it not be opportune to lop off the ominous suffix " endum " (is it certain that the Referendum shall "end 'em," and not "mend 'em " ?) and to fall back upon plain "reference " ? Better still would be the expression "Special Poll," which exactly describes the process of the Referendum, and by its perspicuity is calculated to defeat all attempts at mystification. The similar phrase "poll of the people," which figures in your "model clause" instructions to the House of Lords, might also be pressed into service ; but it has the disadvantage of being less distinctive, for it might be used to designate an appeal to the faggot issue of a General Election.—I am, Sir, &c., University College, W.O. M. 0. B. CASPAR!.
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