17 DECEMBER 1904, Page 15

STE,—In your review of Mr. Platt's " Alia " in

the Spectator of December 3rd you ask if "fairly takes the cake" has a classical parent. Whatever its origin (is it the " cake-walk " ?), readers of Aristophanes will remember at least two passages where the classical parallel occurs,—" Thesm.," 94, TO rip TExPegelp 4pcirepoc wypetpcoiic, and a similar passage in " Eq.," 277. Another classical equivalent for modern slang is pre served by Suidas,—orzor yEyo(mr, "Take me 'ome."—I am, Sir, &c., J. MAXWELL EDMONDS. Repton, Burton-on-Trent.