Letters
Sir Alfred
Sir: On the eve of my departure for a journalist's visit to Central America, I am again subjected to Peregrine Worsthorne's jealousy-fed imagination (Notebook, 6 August). Last time, under the false impression that I had ceased speech- writing, he compared me with old boots. Since I first travelled abroad for a British newspaper in 1950, I have always enjoyed courtesy and help from ambassadors and diplomats overseas. Quite apart from their professional duties, they have every reason to welcome new faces. All my colleagues, of the printed and electronic media alike, find the same welcome, irrespective of their political connections. I am sure our diplomats would be equally friendly to Mr Worsthorne were there not something in him which inhibited this, hence his pique at their welcome to me. More than one of our ambassadors has complained to me that Mr Worsthorne breezed in and haughtily told him how he ought to run his embassy.
I was unaware of suffering 'social snubbings and brush-offs'. No doubt, some anti-semitism does exist, but I have not suffered from it. I have earned my enemies, as I have any rewards, by my own exertions (and associations). A man should be judged as much by his enemies as by his friends; am content with both, and should rather add to the former than subtract from the latter. I am sorry that Peregrine Worsthorne should find my manner 'graceless'. Though my family was poor, I was brought up to observe standards of manners substantially higher than those imparted in present-day Britain. I have even managed to be polite on all occasions to Mr. Worsthorne.
I regret that The Spectator should appear to share the same obsession with my thoughts, comings and goings as the New Statesman; surely there are more important things to occupy them than the fortunes of a humble journalist. As for Mr Worsthorne, I can only advise him to look inside himself.
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