22 JULY 1966, Page 24

The Consequences of Mr Cousins

Sut,—If Mr Alan Watkins wishes to drag concubines into an article about Mr Cousins (your issue of July 8) he should first verify his references. The 'twenty- two acknowledged concubines' of the younger Gordian 'were designed for use rather than ostenta- tion' (Decline and Fall, Chapter VII). Gibbon ex- plains that `by each of his concubines, the younger Gordian left three or four children. His literary pro- ductions, though less numerous, were by no means contemptible.' DAVID WEST 1 Thornhill Grove, London, NI