3 DECEMBER 1983, Page 19

Scattering the proud

Sir: 'The Magnificat Group' (Letters, 26 November) indeed. 'Do you mind the dain- ty coyness of it?' as Myles na Gopaleen ask- ed in another context. They make no real answer to A. N. Wilson's article, merely quibble over a geographical point and make plain that they did not like the article but that they do like Dr Runcie.

What makes the flesh creep is the assumption (no pun intended) of this precious title by a group of well-padded clerics and their wives from the plusher livings of the Church of England. What makes things even worse is their pathetic eagerness to placard their names with higher degrees (both 'Dr' and 'PhD' in case we miss the point).

`Dispersit superbos mente cordis would appear to be a line from the Magnificat which has yet to penetrate to their chintzy rectories.

A. H. Ronald 116 Melrose Avenue, London NW2