20 OCTOBER 1917, Page 14

[To THE EDITOR OP THE SPECTATOR."] Sts,—Your article on "

A Decimal Coinage for the Empire" holds out a most cheering prospect for those who, like myself, find figures " kittle cattle" to deal with. Bat is it necessary to use the very ugly word "mil," which is quite out of accord with the fine old English names of most of the coins? Would it not be desirable, indeed, to restore some of the old names, even if they did not represent the name valise, thus keeping many old associations in the history and literature of our country ? Thus my table of coinage would read: Sovereign; half-sovereign; crown (or double- florin); Amin; shilling (or half-florin); tester (or quarter-florin); groat (or 10-nail piece); farthing (or 4-mil piece); half-farthing (2-mil piece); quarter-farthing (mil piece). I think this would be found quite as convenient, and much pleasanter to the ear.— I am, Sir, Ac., M. G. PATERSON. Hook Cottage, liorndean, Hants.