I should give capitals to this and to such words as Incarnation, Crucifixion and Ascension, when used in a religious connection. Also to the word Hegira and any similar words culled from any other religion. As I told you before, I am without a rule and would let almost any word have its capital, if I could please it thereby. Words used in a special sense also have their capitals from me, as for example Hall, when that means a college dinner served in hall. No, I am afraid that a capital for colonel, major and vicar leaves my teeth unmoved, and I could write postmistress with a capital light-heartedly. On the other hand I should not use a capital for dustman, as this is not a title or office.
I am, as you see, quite illogical and inconsistent; and, if I try to follow your rules, it will be only in the hope of pleasing you. I cannot rouse myself to any enthusiasm for or against a liberal use of capitals and I do not think that it is a matter of great importance. On considerations of comeliness, I think the French printed page, with its vile type and vile, fluffy paper, is one of the ugliest things (Nonsense, nonsense, you unæsthetic Celt! The unsought, natural beauty and perfection of the page make up for all the inferiority of the material. Never say that again! Your friend Seymour Leslie would scratch and claw you for it.) ever allowed to issue from a printing press, but that may be only insular prejudice....
Forgive a boring letter, I beg, but I am in a thoroughly boring mood. (Grawnted.)...
A postscript to this controversy came on a postcard dated 28.6.20:
... Darwin spells “the king” with a small “k.”
He is rather good in spelling, bad in punctuation, execrable in statement, logic, deduction. In The Descent of Man he says:
“Music arouses in us various emotions, but not the more terrible ones of horror, fear, rage, etc.”
He had never heard of me, though I was 17 when he died.
Tex.
Crowborough, 30 June (alas, how time flies!) 1920.