2 SEPTEMBER 1972, Page 23

Nicholas's coffee

Sir: It is, of course, unthinkable that Mr Davenport should stand at a bar when travelling abroad and I am sorry if I appeared to entertain such an idea. It is, indeed, we not altogether to be pitied expatriates living in Italy who are more likely to be found consuming our coffee standing up because, at this season at least, nearly all the tables are occupied by visitors drinking in, presumably, the glories of the Italian Renaissance as well as other more ponderable refreshments. T. C. Owtram Villa Belvedere, Gragnono, Lucca