2 NOVEMBER 1991, Page 36

Literary timepiece

Sir: I have always understood that it was at the Savage club that my father placed Lord Maugham on the chimney-piece (And another thing, 12 October). Lord Maugh- am's offence was, I believe, that of boring Davenport and others.

Davenport: Tick, tack! Tick, tock! You talk like a clock and [seizing Lord Maugh- am] that's where clocks belong!

Maugham: Put me down at once. . . etc.

Hugo Davenport 19 Wingate Way, Trumpington, Cambridge