25 SEPTEMBER 1971, Page 24

Sorrowfully

Sir: Your article ' New Pensions for Old' (September 18) not only uses ' hopefully ' for it is to be hoped '; it goes one worse, substituting ' thankfully ' for 'we can be thankful.' Gratefully, The Spectator will in future avoid these nonsensical usages. Otherwise, fearfully, 1 shall cancel my subscription. Edmund Crispin Higher Week, Darlington, Totnes, Devon