12 MARCH 1988, Page 25

Checking department

Sir: How splendid that One cannot make a Wodehousian mistake in The Spectator Without being courteously corrected. As Christopher Fildes's culpable reference checker I ask the court of your readership to consider my plea in mitigation: I am in good company. When that great American Wodehouse scholar, Charles E. Gould Jr, wrote to ask P.G.W. why Bertie, in Much Obliged Jeeves refers to his old headmaster as the Revd Arnold Abney, the Master replied, I can't think how I made such a bloomer. It comes from writing so much.' Me too. All your readers should now go and enjoy Much Obliged Jeeves (and The Little Nuggett which stars the Revd Arnold) to make sure I haven't made another bloom- er.

Barry Phelps

Carlton Club, London SWI