[To THE EDITOR OP THIS "SPECTATOR "] SIR, — It was with the
profoundest amazement that I read Professor Herford's verbose letter in your last week's number, a letter which I might have passed over in contemptuous silence had it not been for one audaciously ignorant remark. I refer, Sir, to " the jejune pugnacities of Eton or Westminster." Now, Sir, having the privilege of being a member of Eton College, I consider it my duty to protest against this unwarranted statement. Presuming that Pro- fessor Herford fully understands the meaning of his remark, I would be very much obliged to him if he could give any single notable instance of this " jejune pugnacity," or, in plain English, this empty quarrelsomeness that he imputes to my schoolfellows or their predecessors. Perhaps Professor Herford merely inserted this expression for its rhetorical effect; if this is the case, I trust in future he will be more exact in his comparisons when writing to a paper of such wide publicity as the Spectator.—I am, Sir, &c., C.
Previous page
