6 FEBRUARY 1982, Page 18

Who was Pendennis?

Sir: Paul Johnson last week, while condemning most newspaper gossip col- umns, explained that the Observer 'used to have an entertaining "Pendennis" feature by Harold Nicolson', who `moved around among the talented and powerful' and 'did not have to rely on chit-chat'.

The `Pendennis' column was started by William Clark, followed by Michael Davie, Kenneth Harris and (for four years) by myself. I recall that Nicolson was once ask- ed to write the column when I was on holi- day, but he was too discreet and polite to his friends, and he did not seem to enjoy the assignment. Is Mr Johnson allowing his dislike of journalists to get the better of him?

Anthony Sampson

27 Ladbroke Grove, London W11