3 NOVEMBER 1967, Page 35

Snob stories

Sir: Fie on my dear old friend Denis Brogan! It wasn't the Maclean, it was the Macneil (of Barra in the outer Hebrides from whom I am distantly 'descended) who responded to Noah's in- vitation to escape the flood with the immortal phrase, `No thank you, Noah, the Macneil has a boat of his own!' It was the same proud tyrant who, after consuming his breakfast porridge, said, 'And now the kings of the earth may dine!'

Graham Hutton 38 Connaught Square. London W2