25 AUGUST 1990, Page 18

Texan pedant

Sir: The article by Marcel Berlins (4 August) should be entitled 'Law reform is a ass', not 'an ass'.

Alluded to is the well-known passage in Oliver Twist (Chapter 51: " 'That is no excuse,' replied Mr Brownlow . . the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction.'

" 'If the law supposes that,' said Mr Bumble, . . the law is a ass — a idiot.' "

Clifford Gardner

8007 Briarwood Lane, Austin, Texas, USA