1 MARCH 2003, Page 33

Slight, unmeritable men. . .

From Mrs Julia Mount Sir: 'All gong and no dinner'? Rachel Johnson CA land unfit for heroes', 22 February) may not have heard of a quarter of the present OMs, but a list of past holders which includes Alma Tadema, Augustus John and E.M. Forster suggests that it was always difficult to make up the numbers.

Julia Mount

London NI