10 AUGUST 1996, Page 23

Lack of courtesy

Sir: It is ungracious of John Berkeley to hope (in print) that he is never invited to join a lady on one of her picnics, especially when the lady is Anne McElvoy and his ostensible reason is disliking the glassware (Letters, 3 August).

If Mr Berkeley is apt to spill long- stemmed wine glasses he can bring his own tumbler to the picnic, and if he is embarrassed by his tumbler's true signifi- cance he can excuse it as a religious requirement.

Doug Williamson

Portland House, Station Road, Scruton, North Yorkshire