LETTERS American sense of humour
Sir: Dominic Lawson writes of his pleasure at the 'social help' his etiquette columnist was able to give an 'elegant' (and, presum- ably, well-to-do and well-educated) lun- cheon companion (Diary, 21 March). Thanks to The Spectator, the woman was able to tell the right lie to get out of doing jury service.
This seems just a little inconsistent with The Spectator's — and every other paper's — distress at the ridiculous libel judgments made by foolish, ignorant, and irresponsi- ble juries.
Just as many people in this country would silently agree with Leona Helmsley's opin- ion that 'only little people pay taxes', many — like Mr Lawson's elegant friend — believe that only boring, vulgar people sit on juries. Until jury service is perceived as the privilege of all rather than the burden of the unimportant and unlucky, we will get the juries we deserve.
Rhoda Koenig
96 Kensington Church Street, London W8
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