27 APRIL 1962, Page 13

CELESTIAL INFANCIES Sin,--'Anybody,' sings Mr. John Vaizey in his review

last week of A. S. Neill's book, 'who remem- bers with truth his own comparatively recent school- days must yearn for . . . the glorious beauty of Dartington and the freedom that exists there.' A very dear friend of mine was once having her head banged repeatedly against a brick wall by her fellow-scholars at Darlington because she (being of a Christian turn of mind) had so far flouted their conventions as to go to Communion, when a teacher hove in sight. And went away again, it doubtless being against the principles to interfere with the pleasure of the little dears. On balance (it's a near-run thing) I think 1 prefer to yearn for the school where they caned Evelyn Waugh for sticking pins into Cecil Beaton.

London, NW8

H. B. LEVIN