28 SEPTEMBER 1991, Page 29

An old retainer writes

IN congratulating The Spectator's editor, Dominic Lawson, on his engagement to be married, I reflect that I was first appointed to the paper by his father. Indeed, if I last as long as my sainted predecessor Nicholas Davenport (who was demanding more space at the age of 86) and the Lawsons remain as precocious as ever, I may now face the prospect of working for a third generation. I must be more careful in what I say about family business.