3 SEPTEMBER 1983, Page 17

Vale of tears

Sir: Appleby-in-Westmorland indeed! (Richard West, 30 July). I shall always know that charming little market town by the name it bore when, long ago, I indited the following lines: "Now Appleby-on-the-Eden must surely be the place Where Adam put Eve in the family way and started the human race; And hadn't that Snake-in-the-grass shown Eve that apples were rather nice Instead of this sorrowful vale of tears we should still be in Paradise.'

Yours with apologies,

Gilbert Longden

89 Cornwall Gardens, London SW7