5 JULY 1986, Page 24

Goddess Alice

Sir: I occasionally tape 'Home life' for a partially-sighted friend who, like me, en- joys the column very much. But we both find it hard to get our tongues round the name of Alice Thomas Ellis and my friend has suggested that we refer to her in the future as 'Ate', the Greek goddess.

I expect that 'someone', with his know- ledge of Ancient Greek, has already pointed out to his wife that her initials stand for the goddess who personified infatuation and led both gods and men into rash and inconsiderate actions . . . . Megan Phillips 87 Albert Road, Richmond