Model Dollar

Sirs:

In TIME of April 26, just received, on p. 8 you say, "If . . . George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac, it doubtless bore a British stamp."

If you will look up the history of currency in the U. S. (e. g. in the book of that title by the late A. Barton Hepburn, Macmillan, 1915) I think you will not find any record of the British having coined dollars. The chances are all that Washington's missile was a Spanish dollar. These were the direct descendants of the earlier and cruder "pieces of eight" and like them were worth eight reals. (The real or eighth of a dollar survives in the expression "two bits" still used for 25c in the West.) These Spanish dollars were mostly coined in Mexico and were the means by which its large silver production got into circulation. They were current in colonial America and were legal tender in the U. S. until 1857 and formed a large element of the currency in circulation.

The Spanish dollar has been the model for every other coin that has borne that name, most of which have copied it very closely in weight and fineness.

DICKSON H. LEAVENS

Changsha, China

Favorites

Sirs:

Let me thank you for the courtesy extended by your Book Editor in despatching my order of the 3rd so promptly. The books came this morning. . . . And why don't you publish the favorite book of the season among TIME readers? Mine is Hangman's House.

(MRS.) ELSPETH MAJOR

Denver, Colo.

Most popular among TIME readers-- to judge by orders received-- is Hygiene of Sex by Max von Gruber, M. D., of which six times as many copies were ordered as of The Origin of the Next War by John Bakelers, second most popular. But Hygiene of Sex is to be had at fewer bookstores than The Origin of the Next War. TIME will gladly compile the votes of book-reading subscribers who will indicate their favorites.-- ED.

A Pais Antique Shop

Sirs:

I will ask you to kindly discontinue sending me the weekly newsmagazine TIME, as I do not find it at all interesting. There is too much political news contained therein, which I find rather hard to comprehend. Not being much of a politician, you will understand that I prefer something lighter and more entertaining, especially for these wonderful summer days. (Miss) B. PAIS

St. Louis, Mo.

Onetime Subscriber Pais runs an antique shop.--ED.

Didn't Weep

Sirs:

I haven't yet "gotten over" the fact that the Associated Press carried that story of a male-female duel fiasco (TIME, Apr. 26, FRANCE.) ten days after I had read it in TIME. I didn't miss calling attention of this to the local A. P. correspondent. Although vexed he didn't weep. L. S. CAMERON

Charleston, W. Va.

Nothing New

Sirs:

May I call your attention to an entirely misleading advertisement that appears on your back cover page? [TIME, June 21] I refer to the one advertising the missing (?) books of the Bible. The advertisement is so written that its tendency is to lead people to believe that these books have just recently been discovered. Of course as you very well know scholars have been able to estimate the value of these books and have given them their proper place. Nor are they anything new as this advertisement erroneously suggests, they have been known for centuries.

Any firm has a perfect right to sell the Apocrypha if they so desire, but no one has a right to suggest to the public that they are something hitherto unknown. I wonder that you would permit such misleading statements to be made in your advertising columns.

FRANK COX

New York, N. Y.

To Original Subscriber Cox, thanks. To TIME'S advertising department, a severe reprimand for laxity.--ED.

Only Hope

Sirs:

In my opinion, you are doing a great work so far. My only hope, my only wish is this: Do be careful not to become another Literary Digest or The Outlook.

YOSHIO URAKAWA

Longview, Wash.

It is unlikely TIME will become "another" anything; least of all "another" of the two periodicals named, whose special points of excellence defy imitation.--ED.

Females All

Sirs :

In TIME May 31 [The White House Week], it was with interest that I noted that Mrs. Coolidge was the recipient of a woolen dress from a delegation of "14 Italian women," while "twelve Hungarian ladies" represented another presentation party.

What I wished to ascertain was the grounds upon which the distinction was made between "Women" and "Ladies"-- whether racial, social or geographical.

JOS. C. MACLAUGHLIN Miami, Ariz.

TIME made no distinction. The ladies are women, the women ladies. -- ED.

Anti-British

Sirs:

On p. 10 TIME, June 14, in an article headed "The League" you quote Chao-Hsin Chu as follows: "If you can find a single man in China in whose breast there does not beat anti-British feeling, he is not a Chinese."

On p. 408 of the Manchester Guardian Weekly, in an article concerning the League of Nations opium committee meeting, I find the following quotation: "A Chinaman who has no anti-foreign feeling is no true Chinaman." This quotation is attributed to Mr. Chu.

From the context of both articles it is apparent that both are intended to cover one and the same quotation. I am curious to know whether Mr. Chu said "anti-British" or "anti-foreign." Under the circumstances of the entire affair, TIME'S quotation would seem more logical. Mr. Chu has more or less anti-European prejudice but has never indicated any such prejudice against America.

PAUL D. MURPHY

San Francisco, Calif.

Mr. Chu said "anti-British" according to despatches cabled to the U. S. British correspondents very generally toned down his remarks.

"Bread and Butter"

Sirs:

Your paper, TIME, is the best "news" paper I ever saw. As soon as I can spare a $5 from our "bread and butter" needs I will subscribe.

EVERETT BURDEN

Eugene, Ore.

Pyroxylin Lacquers

Sirs:

Have you not in your very proper desire to do justice to the Dupont Co., and Mr. Hart, their director of advertising, done an injustice to the makers of the many other nitrocellulose or pyroxylin lacquers in use by the automobile manufacturers and painters? I refer to Mr. Hart's letter and your comment on p. 2 of TIME, June 21.

Dupont is certainly entitled to the exclusive use of the term "Duco" for its product, but no other reputable lacquer manufacturers want to rob it of the name. We are, of course, anxious to have our lacquers known by our own names and not to have them confounded with Duco.

It may interest you to know that all the important manufacturers of automobile finishing materials are making pyroxylin lacquers. This is a matter of fact. If you desire an opinion, it is my belief that the ultimate finish for the motor car will be made by the companies who have grown up in the business of manufacturing such finishes and know from long experience what the painter must have for a successful painting job. Such a finish very likely will be a compound embracing the good qualities of both the old style varnish and the newer pyroxylin finishes.

H. C. BURSLEY,

Advertising Manager, Murphy Varnish Co.

Newark, N. J.