"THE BITTER END."
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—May I point out that there is an obvious pun on this phrase (see Spectator, September 18th) in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, Act IV., Scene vi., lines 6.9 P- P /ISABELLA (in.): Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure Ho speak against me on the adverse side, 1 should not think it strange ; for 'tis a physic: That's bitter to sweet end.' There is no suggestion of any nautical reference in these lines. Cf. also Chaucer, The Squire's Tale (line 224) "They demon gladly to the badder ende."
May I add to my reply as to the meaning of "Bosch()" (Spectator, September 18th) that the diminutive "Boobette" is defined in Edgren and Burnet's French and English Word Book (Heinemann, 1902) as dating from the sixteenth century and derived from the Italian " boocietta (boccie, ball)," meaning "ball-game "P—I am, Sir, &o., 0. S. H.
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