" J. B.," New York.—" (1) What is the difference between 'begin' and 'commence' ? (2) Is it correct to say 'buy goods of a person'? (3) What is the correct pronunciation of 'inquiry'? (4) Is 'ei' in 'neither' pronounced 'ai' as in 'aisle'? (5) Should 'contiguity ' and 'ameliorate' be used when 'contact' and ‘improve' will do as well?"

(l) To "begin" is to do the first act of, to take the first step in; to "commence" is to make a beginning of. In signification there is no difference whatever between "commence" and "begin." The former word is from the Latin: the latter is Saxon, and is preferred before an infinitive. (2) As one of the meanings of "of" is "from," one may purchase goods "of" a person. (3) Correctly this is pronounced in-quire'i. (4) "Ei" in "neither" should be pronounced as double "e," and not as "i," but the second pronunciation has some vogue. (5) This is a matter of taste. The simpler the word the more easily is the meaning understood.