Letters to the Editor
Racial Prejudice Helen Brander The Roman Index Harold Binns Public Accounts Committee Col. H. R. PeTh Footplate Folly J. P. Bardsley Educating MPs Algernon B. Dale Australian Memories Dr. B. J. Bouche Christening Cubs Meredith Whittaker In the Family Andrew M. Gaye
RACIAL PREJUDICE
SIR,—In his excellent letter Mr. Hugh Morris draws attention to such points as arc of the greatest importance in bringing about good relations between people of different races and countries.
In the matter of 'conventional courtesies' I should like to stress the need for teaching the proper way of addressing foreigners in this country. For example, it is not only incorrect but also most impolite to say 'Mademoiselle' and 'Friiuleite at all times without theaddition of a surname. There is no reason why 'Miss' and the surname should not be used. But, when used alone, not only as a form of address but also in the third person, 'Mademoiselle' and 'Friittlein' are relics of the days of the Victorian governess, and the preservation of this custom, still practised in some of the best girls' schools, is a disgrace to our advanced education. This may seem trifling, but 'polite- ness is benevolence in trifles.'
As to the 'correct use of grammatical forms,' it is a fact that the thorough teaching of Eng- lish grammar is, on the whole, very much neglected. For this reason, the teaching of other languages is often a sheer waste of time. If the function of an English word is not known it cannot be rendered correctly in another language. I have heard the horrible expression 'not all that good' translated into French as 'pas tout que bon'!—Yours faithfully,
HELEN BRANDER
San Michele, Donaewood, Copthorne, Crawley, Sussex
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