16 JANUARY 1988, Page 25

Backward readers

Sir: Malcolm Gluck (Letters, 5 December) remarks that he reads this publication backwards, which I understand to involve starting on the inside page of the back cover and working through to that of the front cover.

As I (and every other reader I have known over the last ten years) suffer from the same condition I would like to pose two questions.

1 Is this a widespread phenomenon, and if so, confined to this publication?

2 What sentiments, if any, are being implied about the inhabitants of each area of the magazine?

John Service

28 New King's Road, London SW6