19 APRIL 1945, Page 14

BONES OF CONTENTION

Sut,—Your reviewer of the book Bones of Contention is correct in attributing to Schiller the words " against stupidity even the gods fight in vain," although I believe there have been variations in translation. The words are spoken by Talbot in the play Maid of Orleans. He hears of successive victories of the French, makes the remark, tears the bandage

off his wound and dies.—Yours faithfully, GILBERT H. RIDOETT.