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Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 8

The rule dealing with the indefinite article preceding words commencing with ‘'u” (when pronounced ‘ yu > does not appear to be an adamantine one. Like Macaulay, with his fondness for “ an ” university, many of our bast writers and' speakers prefer to ignore the rule, and back their fancy in little question of euphony. As for the man in the street, the matter has long ago been settled in favour of “am all cases where the initial “u has the “yu” sound, partly, no doubt, because such phrases as “an united people” do not come trippingly off the tongue, and have an old-fashmed, pedantic flavour. And there are sensitive ears that will prefer Dir. Asquith's “a. unique” to the more studied "an unique.” Fifty-nine years ago the first dit> tribution of our most coveted military distinction, the Victoria Cross, took place in Hyde Park, amid scenes of •extraordinary enthusiasm.” Queen Victoria was accompanied by Prince Albert, who had only the previous day been raised to the dignity of Priuca Consort, and by the Crown Prince of Prussia, who had just become be* trothed to our Princess Royal. Eaeß of the sixty-two officers and men recoin*mended to receive the little medal of gun-metal inscribed “For Valour ”. was called in turn to a table, where tho Cross was pinned on his breast by' the Queen. He was then saluted by the Priuce Consort, and “ withdrew a jjvouu and happy man.”