18 NOVEMBER 1949, Page 28

Mrs. Maud Gonne MacBride

SIR,—In my review of Professor Ellmann's Yeats: the Man and the I overlooked the possibility that there might be survivors from the pc iasi of Irish history which it covers, and I wish to express my regret th. t I referred to Mrs. MacBride in the wounding way I did. The point 4 which a public character becomes an historic character is not easily fistd, but that point is certainly not in the lifetime of the public character ; I am deeply sorry for my thoughtless act.—Yours sincerely, Honey Ditches, Seaton, Devon. Sr. JOHN Estvis.r.

[The Spectator desires to associate itself in the fullest way with th;s expression of regret.—En., Spectator.]