The Raphael effect
Sir: Your diarist called Raphael referred to me (12 January) as a 'hired assassin called Bernard' because of an article I contri- buted to the Independent Magazine about the curious and to me repugnant art of Michael Ayrton. I found this offensive and probably libellous. It also seemed to libel one of your most distinguished predeces- sors, Alexander Chancellor who, if I was `hired' to 'assassinate' Ayrton, must, as my editor, have put out the contract.
If Raphael had read my piece attentively he would surely have had to acknowledge that I tempered my deep, long-standing (and incidentally thoughtful) antipathy to Ayrton's works by faithfully quoting all opinions opposed to mine that were avail- able to me — and entirely to their sources' satisfaction.
I have occasionally thought of offering you my services as a fill-in diarist, but have not done so because of doubts about my writing ability. Having read Raphael's for two weeks, though, I may change my mind. I wouldn't of course express any opinions other than my own — however much you offered me. Nothing defamatory either.
Bruce Bernard
44 Frederick Street, London WC1
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