12 DECEMBER 1998, Page 34

The bottom line

Sir: I appeal to your American contributor Mark Steyn, whose witty articles I much enjoy, to refrain from bowdlerising the English language by using the word 'ass' for the Anglo-Saxon 'arse': 'Dan Burton easily won re-election, kicking the pert silk- camisoled ass of . . . Bob Kern, a drag- queen' (`Clinton yes, transvestites no', 7 November).

Those not well versed in the American language may well find this unintelligible. On the other hand, I wonder what the aver- age American makes of the biblical story (Numbers xxii) that Balaam was spoken to by his ass!

Charles Rubens

12 Bracknell Gate, Frognal Lane, London NW3