1 NOVEMBER 1919, Page 15

AUTHOR FOUND.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sm,—May I add a few lines to those of M. de V. Payen-Payne (October 4th, p. 438)? The real version is the following. Speaking of the number of the fous, Louis Petit (Satire 4, pp. 41-42 of the edition of the Librairie du Bibliophiles, published by Oliver de Gourcuff, 1833) writes :— "C'est tine nation d'une tells &endue Que, de quelque ebtti que l'on tourne la one Il s'en pr6sente aux yeux, at qui n'en veut point voir Doit les tenir ferules et casser son miroir."

Such is the real, original version. But for everyday uses the two crisp and fresh lines of both versions quoted by your correspondent are in fact more suitable. Who was it who corrected end abbreviated Louis Petit? I cannot undertake to say. But he did well.—I am, Sir, ST.,

HENRY DE VARIGNY,

Scientific Editor of Journal des Dilbats, Paris.