LEAVES IN VALLOMBROSA
SIR,—Taper usually throws a most reward- ing light into the darker recesses of West- minster, so it is a little sadly that I seek enlightenment about a remark in his latest report. He said at one stage that repetitions of phrases like 'failing the nation' fell 'as thick as leaves in Vallombrosa'. I wonder if he is making some extra subtle observation, meaning that there were very few such allegations, because as far as I can ascertain the valley in question is afforested mainly by pine trees. Milton probably had little chance of a continental holiday, but Taper has been luxuriating abroad, we gather, and so has no excuse. Or perhaps it's just a misprint . . . did he mean Valhalla? I am not sure if there are supposed to be any trees there, but I had never before thought that Taper regarded the House of Commons as 'a hall in celestial regions' nor thought many of our MP 'heroes' who spend 'eternity in joy and feasting', although we are led to believe there is a reasonably good restaurant. I must say that I'm tempted to believe that Taper really meant to compare the Hon. Mems. with the Valesians, but perhaps he feels that some are beyond salvation.—Yours faith- fully,
IAN BLAKE The Sesame Imperial Club, Grosvenor St., WI
[Taper writes: 'I don't know what the world's coming to. If people are going to start objecting to my similes on the grounds that they are inaccurate I might as well shut up shop. How should I know what kind of trees there are in Vallombrosa? I've never been there, and in fact I don't even know where it is. But I take my revenge in the thought of Mr. Blake's being "led to be- lieve" that there is a "reasonably good restaurant" in the House of Commons. I haven't laughed so much since the last report of the Secretary of the Kitchen Committee. Let us hear no more of this distasteful sub- ject.'—Editor, Spectator.]
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