11 JUNE 1927, Page 15

THE . TRUTH ABOUT PORRIDGE [To the Editor of the

SPECTATOR.]

Sia,—Your correspondent, "D. T. S.," is quite correct in stating that porridge is no longer the staple diet of Scotsmen. Nevertheless it still forms a regular meal with some 80 per

cent, of our people. I have repeatedly questioned whole classes of school children over a large industrial and agricul- tural area, and have invariably found that proportion (80 per cent.) as having porridge some time or other during the week. In our Scottish commercial hotels, too, I have frequently noted the number at breakfast taking porridge, and these generally number four out of five.

This, however, is nothing to boast about. Why should Scots or any other folk be thirled to one dish ? Science has proved that the human body requires a mixed diet, and Scots have not been slow to learn this truth and put it into practice. Hence it is that porridge, though no longer the staple food in Scotland, still forms an important part of our dietary.—! am,