19 OCTOBER 1985, page 24

Illiteracy In Sussex

Sir: On Saturday last I asked in three local bookshops for a copy of Auberon Waugh's Diaries. I was greeted with looks of incom- prehension! However at the fourth shop I......

Sir: Isn't The Ultimate Bore (or Bore's Bore), The One

who's always on about how boring the other fellow is? Fran Landesman 8 Duncan Terrace, London N1......

Letters Burnham And Booker

Sir: I work for Bookers but I honestly believe (so far as one can every judge one's own motives) that this letter is prompted by a sense of shock, almost outrage, and not by......

Boer And Brit

Sir, The letter headed 'Rout indeed', by your correspondent of 14 September, has taught me how important is one's choice of vocabulary when writing on an issue as sensitive as......

Shell Guides

Sir: Do please go on urging that the Shell County Guides be continued (Richard Ingrams, Diary, 12 October). They are complementary to the Pevsner county guides. The photographs,......

Dr Rowse

Sir: In competitionese (5 October): I'm right; you're arrogant; he's Dr Rowse (Tirst-rate versus third-rate', 12 October). Richard Jacobs Westminster School, London SW1......

Ultimate Bores

Sir: What a distressing anecdote in Richard Ingrams's Diary (12 October). Whoever this Norman may be whom Mr Ingrams purports to admire so much for keeping his establishment......

Reprieve

Sir: It is something of a relief to know that, for the present, my life is not in any great danger (from Nicholas Rankin, Letters, 12 October). I might, though, have reason to......

The Spectator

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! I would like to take out a subscription to The Spectator. I enclose my cheque for £ (Equivalent $ LISI& Eurocheques accepted) RATES: 12 Months 6 Months UK/Eire......