2 DECEMBER 1989, Page 33

Patient publisher

Sir: Taki is wrong (High life, 18 Novem- ber). Alice Mayhew is neither, as it hap- pens, Irish, nor, in any way, intolerant. I am on my fourth book for her now — that surely proves beyond any doubt that her patience and endurance know no bounds.

William Shawcross

46 Blomfield Road, London W9