19 MAY 1950, Page 22

The Flying Saucers

Sta.—The following passage from Aubrey's Brief Lives suggests one way by which these widespread reports of " flying saucers " may arise: " His [Sir Thomas More's] discourse was extraordinary facetious. Riding one night upon a suddaine he crossed himself niajori cruce, crying out Jesu Maria! doe not you see that prodigious Dragon in the Skye 7 They all lookt up and one did not see it, and nor the tother did not see it. At length one had spyed it, and at last all had spied. Whereas there was no such phantome, only he imposed on their phantasies."

—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. N. ARDAGH. Abbey House, Sherborne, Dorset.