Sir: Mr A. J. P. Taylor is entitled to his
opinion on the use of the word 'England' referred to in your comment on Mr Bennett's letter (14 March). Admittedly for long 'England,' being the name of the largest country, was a term of nvenience and in certain circumstances out- with this island may still have its place, but on Pod authority it appears to be incorrect. In the Shorter Oxford Dictionary 'Britain' is given as: The proper name of the whole island containing England, Wales, and Scotland, with their dependencies; more fully called Great Britain . . . "Britain" after the oE period, was for long used only as a historical term; but in 1604 James I was proclaimed "King of Great Britain"; and this name was adopted for the United Kingdom at the Union in 1707.'
The unexceptionable term 'United Kingdom,' much used in Commonwealth territories, is ap- propriate in most contexts. In this matter many Englishmen appear unable to appreciate any point of view but their own, and this attitude is an important factor in the United Kingdom being increasingly far from united.
A. J. Fyfe 11 Montpelier Terrace, Edinburgh, 10
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