23 AUGUST 1963, Page 13

CHRISTIAN BURIAL

SIR,—I was delighted to read Dr. Mackey's letter in your last issue, suggesting the immediate return of the remains of Roger Casement to his own country for suitable interment there. I have long advocated this action, being one of the few friends of this Irish patriot remaining alive today.

History teaches us that a 'traitor' is often a patriot who has failed, just as a 'patriot' may well he a traitor who has succeeded. Roger Casement was a glowing example of the former. An example of the latter occurs to me at once in the person of that Duke of Shrewsbury, sailed by Swift 'the favourite of the nation.' This man, a courtier of King James II, to whom he had sworn an oath of allegiance and upoh whom he fawned constantly, nevertheless was one of those who invited a foreign princeling to England to usurp the throne of the real King.