THE INSTINCT FOR WORDS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIB,—In a review of a new book by Miss Loane, which appeared in the Spectator of March 4th, your reviewer spoke of the instinct for words as being no monopoly of the well-to-do and cultivated classes. As an illustration of this, the follow- ing instance of the appropriate use of language by a boy of the poorer class may be of interest to your readers. A day or two ago I was walking in St. James's Park when I came upon a group of small boys, evidently belonging to the poorest class, who were admiring, through the railings, a splendid peacock. The bird, conscious of the returning springtide, was preening its plumage, and presently moved away slowly and majestic- ally, with its ample tail not spread out but rounded like full drapery, swaying gracefully with its movements. I was just thinking what an object-lesson it afforded to the wearers of the hideous hobble skirt, when one of the little fellows, in a tone of conviction, burst out with : "It's like a queen, like a queen with a beautiful dress on ! " And so it was ; instinc. tively the child had said the right word.
A little later I heard another boy, who was getting off the path on to the grass, call out to bis companion : " Come on, Bill, let's go in the meadow." That was pleasant to hear, as showing how, in literal truth, the London parks can represent the countryside to these children.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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