23 DECEMBER 1955, Page 31

SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. 306 Set by R. J. P. Hewison

'Oh Lord r prayed Sir Jacob Astley before the Battle of Edgehill, 'Thou knowest how busie 1 must be this day. If 1 forget Thee, do not Thou forget me. For the usual prize (which may be divided) competitors are in- vited to compose a similarly pithy prayer for any great personage of history before a great occasion. Any period, any religion. Wit, humour, but no blasphemy. Limit : 75 words.

Entries, addressed 'Spectator Competition No. 306,' 99 Gower Street, London, WCI, must be received by January 3. Results in the Spectator of January 13.