31 JANUARY 2004, Page 30

From Roger Chesneau

Sir: Mr le Vay, should that not be Brewer'ses at dawn? Or perhaps Brewerses'? Or is only one copy of the book to be used in the duel, to be split between the participants? And why Brewer's anyway? Would not one of Fowler's works be more appropriate?

And should I refrain from starting sentences with the word 'or'? And 'and'?

He who ventures into minefields should expect explosions.

Roger Chesneau

Ringshall. Suffolk