Six-letter word
Sir: Mr J. W. M. Thompson in his reference ('Spectator's notebook', 28 February) to the Daily Telegraph's rendering of bloody as b—, has unconsciously disinterred a potent literary device. Nineteenth century novelists who put into the mouths of their more virile characters such expressions as d— and b—, achieved a far more devastating effect than the crude obscenity of many modern writers. Stevenson in Treasure Island made Long John Silver back an abusive remark 'with an oath that I leave out', and Thackeray much earlier made some blackguard indulge in 'a multiplicity of oaths'. Wells, in that now forgotten book, Bealby, managed to convey a ringing roundelay of oaths, by a skilful use of asterisks, dashes, exclamation marks and black patches. The use of — allows the imagination full play, and is far more hor- rific than the bleak four-letter words that make contemporary writing so — dull.
John Gloat 3 The Mall, East Sheen, London, sw14
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