21 SEPTEMBER 1912, Page 15

THE MIGHTY MONOSYLLABLE.

[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR." I SIR,—In his recently published " History of English Litera- ture " Mr. Andrew Lang quotes as follows from " Certayne Notes of Instruction Concerning the Making of Verse in English," by George Gascoigne (1525 F-1577), " The more monosyllables you use the truer Englishman shall you seem." Some years ago I remember noting in the "Pilgrim's Progress" thirty consecutive monosyllables.—I am, Sir, &c.,

W. H. P.