27 MAY 1949, Page 18

SIR,—In a civilised community, where public opinion is held to

be a good enough tribunal for the discussion of matters even more important than literary (and artistic) integrity, one is not unduly perturbed by the contemptuous dismissal as " bourgeois hypocrisy," " mildewed cant," &c. (distressingly familiar terminology !) of the opinions of those who dis- like the prostitution of literature and art in the hands of charlatans, and are not afraid to say so. The unrerginiented "mob " is long-suffering, but occasionally its gorge will rise at the preposterous pretensions of mountebanks. May I be permitted to subscribe myself complacently.—