19 APRIL 1913, Page 15

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPEETATOR."]

Sin,—Though it hardly comes under this heading, may I be allowed to utter a brief cri de cceur over the supplanting of good old phrases by commercialized English ? Formerly people who pulled down houses called themselves "house- breakers." Now, possibly owing to misguided "delicacy and discretion," they trade under the title of "demolition con- tractors." Similarly it is said that shop-walkers direct persons in search of half-mourning to the "mitigated affliction department."—I am, Sir, &c., G miNos.