[‘the lover of words (as I am)’: Lord Birkett, judge, British representative at the Nuremberg Trials.] Two Typed Letters Signed, one with long Autograph Postscript, and Typed Note Signed, all to V. H. Collins, defending his use of language.

The third letter gives an excellent indication of Birkett’s pride in his use of language. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler. All three signed ‘Norman Birkett’. In fair condition, lightly aged and little grubby. The first letter with a small hole to one corner, and the two leaves of the last letter held together with a pin. ONE: ALS, 9 July 1953. 1pp, 4to. He is adding Collins’s book to his ‘select library on “words”’. ‘I am afrait that “finalise” is in frequent use as “I was sent to finalise the arrangements”, and it is often used by witnesses in court, and sometimes (not without protest from me) by barristers.’ He ends: ‘But the purpose of this letter is to thank you, if somewhat belatedly, for the interest you took in the subject of my address, and for your kindness in writing to me.’ TWO: ANS, 14 July 1953. 1p, 4to. He has no objection if Collins adds the note he sends him ‘to the book now at the printers’. He will get ‘One Word and Another’ when it is published. THREE: ALS, 11 May 1954. 3pp, 4to. He will read the book Collins has sent him with great pleasure, ‘for, as you know, anything written about words has a great fascination for me’. Turning to Collins’s ‘criticism of some remarks of mine uttered in the course of an after-dinner speech’, which have appeared without Birkett’s knowledge or consent, he is for the most part in agreement, ‘but I take it a little hard that the unpremeditated effusion of the moment should be treated as though it were a carefully prepared essay. I will say no extempore speech can survive a scrutiny such as the scrutiny you send to me.’ With regard to Collins’s seven points, he feels he should ‘keep in mind the difficulties of extempore speaking. The perfect word does not always come readily to the tongue. The sentences do not always flow as one could wish, and the “verbal expert” seated in his comfortable study might make a little allowance for human frailty!’ In the following paragraph he turns the tables on Collins, analysing his use of language in his letter to Birkett. With a veiled criticism of Collins he explains how ‘the lover of words (as I am) can become a “tiresome pedant” ’ Collins’s criticism has clearly hit home, as Birkett adds a fourteen-line postscript in his distinctive close hand, ending: ‘I cannot even be sure that the reporter took down accurately what I did say: I had no notes, and never dreamt that what I said would receive this unwanted publicity, and subject me to the criticism of lovers of good English!’