Good old Fowler
Sir: Wouldn't it be nice if Dot Wordsworth were to desist from making disparaging remarks about 'dull old Fowler' (Mind your language, 22 July)?
I still have the copy of Fowler's Modern English Usage which I bought in 1958. (I remember it cost 15 shillings, quite a lot of money in those days for a 14-year-old.) Even then it was out of date in some respects, and it has grown somewhat more so, if only because the language moves on. But its wit, intelligence and general sound- ness of judgment continue to make it both an authoritative guide to good linguistic practice and a delight to browse through. In fact, I doubt if in the intervening 37 years I have ever spent 15 shillings (or whatever would be the modern equivalent) to better effect.
Mrs Wordsworth is an amusing and often informative writer. But put her up against Fowler as an authority on English usage and there can be no doubt which of them comes out as the black rhinoceros (to bor- row a figure from her recent article).
Andrew Simpson 24 Kingston Road, Manchester
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