19 OCTOBER 1956, Page 18

OXFORD DIVIDED

have read the statement of the Dean of Christ Church to which Mr. Blake refers me. I agree that it is restrained, reasoned and dignified, though I do not accept its con- clusions. I was criticising, however, not the Dean's statement, which appeared after I had written, but the former Senior Censor's article. I had supposed that this fairly represented the attitude of his college; I am happy to find myself mistaken.

Mr. Blake also suggests that his assessment of the Minister's motives and of the beauties of Christ Church Meadow is matter of opinion and therefore not open to reasonable dispute. An historian of Mr. Blake's calibre will b aware that it is not only judgements of lac that can be convicted of error; and the erre in this case is crucial. If the Meadow mall provides 'one of the loveliest views in Europe, than certainly the risk of spoiling this view b a road must not be run. But Mr. Blake shouh' recognise that few people would seriously endorse such an extravagant claim.—Yours faithfully, Wad ham College, Oxford T. C. W. STINTON