12 JULY 1997, Page 27

Is it a joke?

Sir: Trying to follow the correspondence originated by Alice von Schlieffen has simi- larities to interpreting the rules of a game called `Mornington Crescent' presented by Humphrey Lyttleton on BBC Radio Four.

Having scant knowledge of military tac- tics in the first world war, I have begun to suspect that a joke is being played at my expense.

Gordon Hartley

Deepdene, The Avenue, Kingston, Lewes, East Sussex