17 DECEMBER 1948, Page 17

ENTER THE TOPEE

Six,—Mr. Morrison, lamenting the eclipse of the topee, may be relieved to hear of a perhaps unexpected part of the Empire (sorry, Common- wealth; in connection with topees, the older word will slip out) where it still flourishes. I mean Canada. In Ottawa at least, from May to September, almost every postman, and many others whose business keeps them on the street, protect themselves by headgear indistinguishable in outline, though different in construction, from the far-flung pipe-smoker's crowning glory. Admittedly I have never seen a prairie farmer, an habitant or an Indian guide thus attired—more's the pity; but one ought not to be greedy.—Yours faithfully, HONOR CROOME. Pearmain, Ruxley, Claygate, Surrey.