5 MARCH 1965, Page 15

Philosopher of Chaos

SIR—In his review of Three Novels, by Conrad Aiken, John Davenport points out that we have mis- quoted what Mr. Graham Greene wrote in the Spectator (November 8, 1935, issue). Reviewing King Coffin, Mr. Greene said that '. . . he [Aiken] is perhaps the most exciting, the most finally satis- fying of living novelists . . .'—and living has been altered to all. In case it is thought that we mis- quoted deliberately in an attempt to promote the sale of the book, I hasten to point out that the mistake was entirely accidental and innocent. Never- theless, we owe a sincere apology to Mr. Greene for the error.

JEFFREY SIMMONS

W. 11. Allen & Co., 43 Essex Street, WC2