25 NOVEMBER 1989, Page 68

No. 1604: Mammon

Almost 800 competitions ago, this one was set by Robert Baird and reported on by Charles Seaton, both happily still around. Belloc wrote a sonnet beginning, 'Would that I had £300,000.' You are invited to compose your own sonnet to Mammon, indulging your fantasies, beginning with Belloc's line or not, as you choose. Entries to 'Competition No. 1604' by 8 December.