22 OCTOBER 1927, Page 18

THE BOILING OF COFFEE

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Mr. Barrow in the Spectator of September 3rd says, " ascending a mountain, the water may boil at 205°, and the results are good (for tea)." Is he sure of the fact ? Unless my memory betrays me, Whymper in Climbing in the Andes notes that water boiled at so low a temperature that tea. making was impossible, If so, Mr. Barrow's suggested experiment has been tried with negative results.—I am,