Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/257

 whilst cabinet-maker, needlemaker, wig-maker, etc., are so recognized and printed.

It is a misfortune from the effects of which we daily suffer that the English language was a free and natural growth. Had it only been placed under the charge of the P.M.G. and swathed in red tape from infancy, we should have avoided all these gross anomalies which vex the soul of the careful student of the P.O. guide.

I hasten to add that there is no dictionary foundation for the difference between £10 and 10/– (though, alas, a very important one in practice!), and I will try to meet your views on this point as well as upon the time of day.

Many complaints were received by H. H. from people who had suffered by reason of mistakes made by careless telegraph clerks. He was fond of telling the story of an announcement that appeared in the newspapers (by cable) to the effect that the wife of a certain Governor of Australia had given birth to twins, the eldest of which was a son. This announcement evoked unqualified astonishment among their Excellencies' friends. Explanations were demanded, and as a result it was found that the cable, "Governor twins first son," was a misreading of "Governor turns first sod," the message being concerned with the ceremonial opening of some public park.

King Edward VII. of blessed memory took a deep and encouraging interest in all H. H.'s schemes for reducing the cost of communication. On one occasion His Majesty landed at Dover and found H. H., who was returning from Carlsbad, on the quay. The