5 SEPTEMBER 1998, Page 25

Spell check

Sir: Just in case anyone should wonder what was meant by 'local bands' at the end of my letter on Alexander the Great (15 August), I did, of course, write 'local bards'. I know that my handwriting is difficult and I am very grateful to you for taking the trouble to decipher it correctly in all other respects.

Eric Phillips

46 Platts Lane, London NW3