13 AUGUST 1927, Page 15

A DESCRIPTION OF THACKERAY

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sias—The following occurs in The Memories of Dean Hole, Chapter VII.: " I was introduced by our host (Leech) and for his sake he (Thackeray) gave me a cordial greeting. ' We must

be about the same height,' he said ; we will measure.' . . The bystanders gave their verdict ' a dead heat ' (6 ft:3 ins.). . . . He told me' of a visit which he had paid with Mr. Higgins, ' Jacob °trinities,' who was four or five inches the taller of the two, to see a Brobdingnagian on show, and how the man at the door had inquired ' whether they were in the business ; because, if so, no charge would be made.' "— I am,