To the Editor of the "Norta-Cuina Datty News."
Sir,—Is it permissible to remark that one of the London Penny Papers opened a competition some years 2go, no} many, with the view of finding a word which should be generally accepted to replace the then unpopular word "'Britisher."" Not unnaturally the result of the competition did not affect the general usage of words, The standard authority on the English language, Murray's great diction: ary, gives the word "Britisher": A British subject.
A native or inhabitant of Great Britain (as tinguished from American citizen).
Tu a note it comments on the point that the word has been alleged to be of United States origin, which suggestion mainly rests upon a hypothesis of Professor Freeman in his "Impressions of U. 8." who thinks it arose during the War of Independence when opposing forces were known as "Americans" and "Britishers" (not "English"). Mr. G. Grant White has strongly disclaimed its use in the United States, while Mr. FitzGerald Hall maintains that he kas known of it in American currency all his life. Mr. H. treats the word more dispassionately than denounce it as an "odious vulgarism." (Above is gist of note.)
In conclusion the dictionary points out that no less a master of the language than Robert Stevenson uses the term in his book "The New Arabian Nights" here he writes: "His tweed suit.. identified him as a Gritisher." Stevenson never wrote vulgarisms.
I am, ete, Shanghai, March 6,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.