10 NOVEMBER 1967, Page 31

Snob stories

Sir: In reply to Mr Graham Hutton (Letters, 3 November) I can only say that since I am re- motely a Nixon which is a sept of the Macleans I cannot be expected to accept my old friend's exorbitant claims for the Macncils. I understand his motives but I don't accept his historical4' pretensions.

With regard to the Speaker I probably was wrong in my anxiety to concentrate on his crimes as a real nobleman and thus exaggerated his merits as a Speaker.

Denis Brogan

I Hedgerley Close, Cambridge