13 NOVEMBER 1993, Page 29

Quel poseur

Sir: David Wright in his review of Paul Fer- ris's Caitlin (Books, 16 October) refers to his subject's father as a 'bon viveur'. He should be informed that this usage is pseu- do-French and bad English. The correct term in both languages is bon vivant. And one thought that The Spectator could be relied upon for linguistic standards. Queue horreur.

Robert Brenton Betts

American University of Beirut, Lebanon