23 MAY 1952, Page 18

Overdose of Aspirate ?

Sut.---Js the port from which the Queen's sail Southampton or South Hampton ? B.B.C. announcers favour the second version,. slightly stressing the second " h " for- fear listeners should think they had dropped something. But what they make up on the roundabouts they lose on the swings. The first " n " in government is always dropped. And it is not only the announcers who. refer to the "Goverment," M.P.s in political broadeasts have done likewise. Such privileged per; sons ought to know better.—Yours faithfully,

Madura, Cranleigh, Surrey.

FRANK H. KNIGHT.