Existential Point

Sir: Concerning English counties, J. Enoch Powell writes: 'Staffordshire is not a place of its own. It is an oblong slab of country situat- ed in the West Midlands, in between......

Darling Dahl

Sir: In the 40 years Roald Dahl was my neighbour and friend he never showed me anything but kindness, hospitality, generosi- ty and sagacity (Books, 19 March). He was the mental......

The First Lynching

Sir: Let me point Dot Wordsworth to the origin of the use of the name Lynch in its relation to lynch law (Mind your language, 26 February). The Anglo-Norman mayor of the city of......

Third World Sir: I Have Always Admired Nigel Nicolson's Rare

blend of sensitivity and common sense. His description of the Balliol 'handshaking' ceremony (Long life, 19 February) remind- ed me of a similar ritual that took place at the......

Letters Jaded Palate

Sir: It is an interesting day when your esteemed wine correspondent Mr Auberon Waugh suggests that it would be difficult to distinguish a 15-year-old shiraz or syrah from a......

Forgotten Horror

Sir: Anne Applebaum (`The lesser of two evils?', 12 February) is right to point up our selectiveness in remembering the horrors of our age. Try asking people this question:......