26 JULY 1968, Page 29

Sir: I don't care for Mr Braine's modern history, and

his ancient history is plain wrong (19 July). Vespasian, not Caligula, used the contents of the public urinals to enhance the imperial revenue; and he didn't tax them, he sold them to the fullers. CI thought my toga was white until. . . .') Hence the term Vespasienne for those curious circular facilities in Paris: the French. unlike Mr Braine, are scrupulous in these matters.

W. Sweeney Priest's Island, Lough Rea. Co Longford, Ireland