20 DECEMBER 1969, Page 24

LETTERS

From Charley Williams, George Chowd- haray-Best, Lawrence D. Hills, Dr Donald M. Bowers, T. H. A. Llewellyn, Paul Pulitzer, Professor Robin Pedley, John Laurence, Michael F. Cullis.

Every man in his U-mour

Sir: Why on earth does Mr Magee (Letters, 6 December) think it reprehensible to switch to a different usage in different company?

Some people, when I give them a drink, say 'cheers' and I say it back, or at least make a sort of convivial grunt. If Lord Egremont gave me a drink I would not say 'cheers' because he would not (I hope) expect me to.

Rule number one, then (revised version) —when in Rome, do what is U-sual.