Drunk in charge
Sir: As I feared, my letter (8 December) about the end of the 'romantic period' of motoring has drawn fire from the expected quarter, that of the self- righteous, of which Mr Routley, of Edinburgh (Letters, 15 December) is perhaps the best example. Without bothering to read my letter thoroughly he has rushed into print, steaming with indignation about things I never said. I never stated that the breathalyser test was necessarily wrong, though one could argue that there may be other and fairer ways of deciding whether one is fit to drive a car after a few drinks. Nor did I openly oppose the speed limit, though I think that on motorways it is ridiculous. However, one could argue, I suppose, that in this drearily egalitarian age, the competent minority must suffer on behalf of the incompetent majority who cannot be trusted at speeds exceeding 70 m.p.h.
Where, incidentally, did Mr Routley get the idea that I was 'wealthy!? That at least will force a grim smile from my bank manager. Your corres- pondent must be extremely naive if he imagines that the writing of twenty-seven or even 127 books confers wealth. Or perhaps Mr Routley's standards of wealth are different from mine. Anyway, I must at least thank him for calling me 'extremely able,' though one may be able in one direction and hope- lessly incompetent in another—saving money for example.
Of course I am aware that this country is over- crowded both with people and cars; of course I know that there are ignorant, stubborn and aggres- sive drivers; do not I meet them every day? And I do not need to take Mr Dowse's advice (Letters, 15 December) and visit the casualty department of a large hospital to realise the evils of drunken driving. Incidentally, sir, your sub-editor, in head- ing my letter 'Drunk in charge' has evidently given your correspondents a misleading impression. I have never been drunk in charge of a vehicle, and as I stated in my first letter have a clean licence after thirty-seven years as a driver. Nor do I need to 'wean myself from the bottle' (to quote another of Mr Dowse's charming phrases) since it has never played a significant part in my life, as my record proves.
No; both your correspondents have chosen to ignore the main point of my letter, which was a simple plea for suggestions for a hobby to replace one which has been largely taken away. And I was emboldened to make this request because, over the years, I have received literally hundreds of letters from strangers telling me of the pleasure my books have given them. It occurred to me—obviously mistakenly—that some of them might be willing to help me in my present predicament.
Leonard Cowell The Manor House, Sevenhampton, near Chelten- ham, Gloucestershire The heading 'Drunk in charge' derives from the article by John Rowan Wilson which gave rise to Mr Cottrell's original letter, and was used in accordance with usual practice.—Editor, SPECTATOR.
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