14 JANUARY 1955, Page 14

SIR, —There was a time when the splendid dullness and unpretentious

lay-out of the Spectator had a certain nostalgic charm. Those days have obviously gone the way of 'independence' if your issue of January 7 is any guide to future policy. It must be a long time since such a shoddy, smug and pompous piece of spare-time journalism has dribbled from the press of any reputable journal.— Yours faithfully,

DESMOND ALBROW

25 Brooks Road, Old Trafford, Manchester 16 DYING LIBERALISM