20 APRIL 1962, Page 10

British at Their Best

Last week I hastened to pass on a story, un- checked, about a legendary luncheon in Trinity College, Oxford, at which a chain of curious happenings culminated in the Prime Minister's backside making abrupt contact with the floor and an elderly college servant dropping a full tray of champagne glasses. It sounded like a synopsis of an Aldwych farce and 1 didn't believe a word of it. But a letter from Trinity informs me that my account was largely accurate, with one exception, and that a grave one. 'The "aged and respected college servant" who dropped the tray of champagne glasses, so far from having retired, turns purple at the very mention of the word. Admittedly he is in the eighty-eighth year 01 his life, and the sixty-first of his service; but he is still hale, and until very recently drove a car. Although he has not yet read your article, there is a danger he will; in view of which you would do well to send him a speedy, abject, and full recantation.' I am glad to make amends publicly to an old gentleman of such spirit.