THE SPEAKER
Sta,—In writing in " Marginal Comment " of the great Speakers of the past, Mr. Harold Nicolson omits one who was perhaps the greatest of them all—Sir Thomas More. More was one of the greatest champions of the liberty of the Commons, claiming that they should have Henry VIII's " most gracious licence and pardon, freely . . . everyman to discharge his conscience." More braved not only the King's dis- pleasure, but also that of Wolsey, who tried to bully the Commons by appearing among them personally, whereupon they refused to debate, being " abashed at the presence of so noble a personage." More was one of the seven Speakers who have been beheaded, but surely he is entitled to mention at least by name in any survey of the great Speakers of the House of Commons.—Yours faithfully,
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