Sta. Ludovic Kennedy has my admiration for his conclusions in
his article on the Moors Murders. But, whether intended or not. I detect a slight revulsion in the effect he feels full reporting may have on what he calls 'young (and old) innocent minds: I would commend to Mr Kennedy the fate of some of the more horrid and amoral nursery rhyme characters that he must be only too well aware of. It would be both pointless-and endless to list their dreadful crimes and even more appalling fates. But among the half-told stories I have never. regarded Humpty-Dumpty as being above suspicion as some sort of agent provocateur (what happened in the first part of his tragic story?) and I have never been convinced that the maid who had her nose-pecked off didn't do something to deserve it.
Most children, hearing these two rhymes for the first time, do, if they have • an ounce of either curiosity or guts, ask : 'Why?'
Mr Kennedy need have no fear of our innocent babes. They understand violence only too well. Watch any two of them 'playing' together. We, as adults, teach them what is wrong, what to faint at, w hat to write protesting letters to The Times about. JOHN suctia:saN Restormel Cottage, 21 Denny Street,
Kennington, London, .5E11
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