22 JANUARY 1921, Page 14

THE DURABILITY OF PISE.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."]

Sia,—The question of the lasting power of pisd buildings has been so often the subject of correspondence in the Spectator that the following note may be of interest to you. It is from a

letter written is 1886 by my late father, Sir Lambert Playfair, H.B.M. Consul-General for Algeria and Tunis, referring to a recent journey. ". . . I stopped at the picturesque Arab ruins of Honai. The city was founded as a seaport to Tlemcen about e.n.•1163. . • . The pied walls are still standing, strengthened at intervals with square towers, and enclose an area of about

seven hectares."—I am, Sir, ho., E. PLAYPAIR. 57' Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, W.