18 JUNE 1994, Page 27

Oxonian spat

Sir: 'There is a phrase in German that has its uses,' declares Professor Norman Stone (`By land, sea and air — eventually', 4 June), 'Gott wird nicht verspottet: which means, 'God will not be mocked'. It is obliging of the Professor to introduce us to this useful Teutonic folk-wisdom, and con- siderate of him to translate it for us, but perhaps we should explain to him that the New Testament has, for some time, been available in English.

Dacre

House of Lords, London SW1