20 JUNE 1987, Page 22

Borgia's tactics

Sir: Sorry to nit-pick but Michael Trend's reference (`The Doctor's dilemma', 6 June) to The Prince is slightly wrong. Cesare Borgia did not gain power by the murder of Remisso de Orco. Borgia was already Duke of Romagna and Remissa his chief henchman, whom he had convenient- ly butchered because he was so unpopular. This did indeed keep the people of Romag- na 'appeased and stupefied' but more importantly demonstrated Borgia's own quality of Machiavellian virtu, the ability to retain power rather than simply to grasp it.

James Hill

Oriel College, Oxford