THE USE OF THE "DE."
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Long ago a great authority took me to task for having written, while omitting to insert either the "M." (Monsieur) or the Christian name, not " Tocqueville," but "de Tocque- vile." The general rule which my censor thus indicated is, he told me, subject to two exceptions. First, the Monsieur- less "de," if I may venture on such a phrase, is retained when the surname is a monosyllable. This explains the use of "de Broise " noticed by your correspondent. Secondly, the same rule is followed when the name begins with a vowel or an h must. I think that " d'Ffaussonville " was the example given by my critic. Another instance, " d'Artagnan," will be familiar to all readers of what may be termed Dumas's great trilogy of novels. It should be added that the above state- ment is merely an unverified repetition of what was said to me by my highly competent informant.—I am, Sir, &c., LIONEL A. TOLLEMACHE.
Dunrozcl, Haslemere.
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