28 AUGUST 1971, Page 23

Wills and wants Sir: In an age when fashionable trends

prevent too many critics from serious artistic assessment the recent Spectator article on H. G. Wells was more than welcome! One finds occasionally, the partisan who defends a neglected great writer with feverish zeal. The article in question was both wiser and more effective, for it wrote of Wells warts-and-all. This in no way detracted from the great man's stature and an untrendy Wellsian wishes to offer very grateful thanks to the writer and the periodical that printed this highly, welcome offering.

Basil Ashmore Misbourne House, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks