21 NOVEMBER 1952, Page 32

Mr. Nicolson and Mrs. Dale

SIR,-1 am amazed and pained by Mr. Harold Nicolson's comments on Mrs. Dale's Diary, and feel at present that I can nevel again read his Marginal Comment with that admiration and respecl which until now I have always felt for it.

Having once listened to this very human and humorous story of the Dale family, can Mr. Nicolson really mean that he has decided never to refresh himself with the unconscious witticisms of Mrs. Morgan, the priceless pomposity of Mr. Fulton or the wiles and whimsies of that old harpy Mrs. Munford ?

If Mr. Nicolson is in doubt as to my seriousness, I would like to invite him to take tea with us any afternoon (except Saturdays and Sundays) .at 4.15.—Yours faithfully, C. J. Ritunaos.

Hornbeams, Swarraton, Alresford, Hampshire.