2 DECEMBER 2000, Page 37

Not dissing Islam

From Mr David Watkins Sir: William Dalrymple (Letters, 25 November) has clearly not read 'Lepanto'. Chesterton depicts his hero's adversaries as cruel but brave, and by their own lights honourable, warriors (and of course as Turks, not Arabs). Chesterton always treat- ed Islam with wary respect.

David Watkins

Cardiff