25 OCTOBER 1968, Page 38

Flashback

Sir : Lady de Zulueta (Letters, 18 October) is sure I have been fair to the late Sir Malcolm Sargent, according to my lights; thinks I didn't know my subject very- well (I met him first in 1950; my research ran to over half a million words); implicitly lectures me on his piety, especially as educed by his daughter's death (a matter I deal with at length, most sympathetic- ally)—and admits she hasn't read my biography of him.

The gracious inconsequence of her letter is an outstanding oddity of the autumn publishing season and, on that account if on no other, will always be treasured by Charles Reid 26 Lawn Road Flats, Belsize Park, London NW3