21 APRIL 1939, Page 22

PALMER AND RUGELEY

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—Your article concerning Palmer calls to my mind an anecdote that was told when his evil deeds were still remem- bered. It was said that the inhabitants of Rugeley were so sick of hearing the name of their town coupled with that of the murderer that a deputation.waited on Lord Palmerston,

I think at the time Prime Minister, with a view to getting the name changed. He told them that he thought their wish reasonable and suggested that, in honour of himself, the town should be re-christened Palmerstown.—Yours, &c.,

72 Westborough, Scarborough. A. NEAVE BRAYSHAW.