2 AUGUST 1968, Page 31

Blackballs

Sir: Mr Thos. Magner (Letters, 26 July) deplores your printing 'the two' obscene words in Clement Freud's review of James Baldwin's latest novel. He is coy about identifying these, but if one applies his — to both quotations one finds: 'I wanted to — or — myself off but I didn't have the energy for either,' and:

baby, let's get the — out of here.'

What illuminating phrases these become!

As I get older I seem to see the use of such words not as obscene, i.e. grossly indecent, but as simply lacking in taste and therefore un- necessary, but this book as a whole is a most moving one and should definitely be read by Mr Magner.