15 JULY 1995, Page 26

Nelson and Nelson

Sir: Jonathan Manthorpe (Letters, 8 July) rules out two possible candidates for the vacant equestrian plinth in Trafalgar Square on the ground of their non-horse- manship: 'Margaret Thatcher or Nelson Mandela on a horse! I think not.' Why not Nelson Mandela on a bull? In his Long Walk to Freedom he remembers as a boy riding the bulls in the Transkei.

Elizabeth Longford

18 Chesil Court, Chelsea Manor Street, London SW3

'Can I recommend some "shoe clean" with that.'