19 JANUARY 1884, Page 14

DE VONSHLRE VERNACULAR.

I To THE EDITOR OF TEE " SPECTATOR:I p. 58, article "John Herring," is this phrase, "Devon- shire savages to whom the author has given the name of the Cobbledicks,' " Sze. The name itself was originally, doubtless, a nickname, either to some "Dick of the Coble," or, may be, some "Cobbler-dick." Be this as it may, the name is common both in Cornwall as well as Devon, and is borne by respectable per- sons, principally farmers:

The author of " Mehalah" has inadvertently given some pain, doubtless, in giving the Devonshire savages (P) the generic surname he has chosen. Pray excuse my troubling you with this reference to what, after all, is a mere bagatelle.—I am,

Sir, Ac., J. H. NANKIVELL. South Clife Hotel, near Christchurch, Hants, January 16th..