8 JULY 1972, Page 28

Somnambulating—

Sir: Editing, as you do, a periodical which internationally sets Olympian standards in its use of English, how can you suffer the appalling number of typographical errors which week after week cloud the columns of some of the best prose currently being written?

In the issue of June• 24, for example, in column three of page 983, I noted five spelling errors and one faulty syllabication at the end of a line before I gave up breathing out threatenings and slaughter against your inexpert proofreader, if he exists at all. Agreed, even Homer may nod; but let him not become somnambulist. Please keep Spectator's spectacles handy, or I shall report the matter to Tom Puzzle!

Arnold Brown 2 Park Road, Beckenham, Kent