27 DECEMBER 1969, Page 25

Open letter to Edward Boyle

Sir: 1-!ow sad and unnecessary has been the degeneration from Mr Worsthorne's 'open letter' and Professor Ayer's subsequent com- mentary to the red and shotten herrings of recent weeks!

It would seem likely that, if the price of writing to the SPECTATOR is to be that pri- vate affairs shall be debated in public, Pro- fessor Ayer, and others in public life, can only be discouraged from crossing swords with your contributors. This would be a loss to us all.

Whether this follows or not, however, does not alter my personal conviction that such '1 know a secret' letters as Mr Parry's first are to be deplored.

This correspondence is now closed—Editor,

SPECTATOR