26 DECEMBER 1908, Page 17

BORES.

[To TEM EDITOR OF TUE " SPICTATOR."1

SIE,—The interesting article in your last issue on " Bores " reminds me of a definition of a " bore" which I heard from the late Bishop Mackarness of Oxford: "A bore is a man who will talk about himself—when you want to talk about yourself." I believe Sydney Smith originated this ; it is worthy of him am, Sir, &O., ALFRED EYRE-BROOK.