21 OCTOBER 1989, Page 30

Pickwickian history

Sir: John Harris (Letters, 23 September) is a very good architectural historian and as such can call black white at will. Other observers find it hard to embrace the Euston Arch — an ill-proportioned slice incised with annotated vulgarity and no arch — together with the cheap Firestone Building — Firestone at the front, brim- stone at the back — amongst 'our greatest buildings'. I am delighted that they were both dropped.

Wit, rare amongst historians, is here, presumably, being exercised by Harris in its Pickwickian sense.

Cedric Price

Architect, 38 Alfred Place, London WC1