12 SEPTEMBER 1957, Page 20

RONALD KNOX

SIR,—As an example of Ronald Knox's ready wit, to which you referred a fortnight ago, may I recall the following? A friend was staying at Mells some years ago when the conversation turned on the sub- ject of evacuees. Someone inquired about the origin of the word. The question was answered by the domestic chaplain in the following Latin couplet :

, 'Eva co-eel clamans Paradiso cessit Adamus: Cui reboans Echo reddidit 'Evacuee!' —Yours faithfully,

HUMPHREY BOWMAN

Glebe House, Chiddingfold, Surrey