THE TRIUMPH OF "MR."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 966, 5 November 1910, Page 11

THE TRIUMPH OF "MR."

I mentioned the other day the decline in cigarette smoking among women as one of the more obvious little social changes of- the times, says a writer in' an English paper. A change, faint as yet, but likely soon to receive the consent of the general, can be discerned in our manner of addressing men's letters. "Esquiro" is attacked. It is becoming the thing to address quite considerable persons as "Mr. So-and-So" instead of "Jolrn So-and-So, Esq." The 'point is, of course, that "esquire," like "lady" and "gentleman" and "gentry," has been keeping bad company, and people are beginning to hesitate about using him. There are several incidental advantages in the change. Pew mon can remember the initials of all their correspondents, and " So-and-so, Esq." is hideous, whereas "Mr. So-and-so" adds distinction to the cognomen, suggesting that there is only one of tho name of Teal importance—like "The Mackintosh," "Tho O'Gorman Malion," or "the Sirdar." Of course at first it can only be used with safety to persons of assured position, but soon, through a muchadmired process of human nature, persons not so secure will rather desire than resent being brought within the "Mr." line.