28 NOVEMBER 1987, Page 28

Sir: The recent IRA attack at Enniskillen makes Pepys's diary

entry for 22 February 1664 even more poignant: Ireland in a very distracted condition about the hard usage which the protestants meet with, and the too good which the catholi- ques. And from all together, God knows my heart, I expect nothing but ruin can follow, unless things are better ordered in a little time.

Nicholas Hardyman

87 Victoria Road, Oxford