19 AUGUST 1989, Page 21

Spot the lady

Sir: I was a little puzzled by Lord Bruce- Gardyne's reference to 'the devil and Mrs Pettigrew' (Letters, 15 July). I wonder if he was thinking of Hilaire Belloc's lines 'On Lady Poltagrue, a public peril' - The Devil, having nothing else to do, Went off to tempt My Lady Poltagrue. My Lady, tempted by a private whim, To his extreme annoyance, tempted him.

M. R. Macintyre 29 Crescent Grove, London SW4

I demand that it be raised in line with inflation.'