Sir: It is sad to see an old man attacked
in the pages of your 'organ' — dread word — (Letters, 13 January) especially one who in his day wrote with such erudition and modesty. If today his wit has dimmed a little and his anecdotes have become re- ,
petitious, is it right that we who have youth on our side, should, in our headlong pursuit of wisdom, ignore the gems of knowledge that fall from the pen of one of our elders and, and no doubt in Mr Arnold's opinion, our betters?
Racked with pain, as he is now, from old sporting injuries received while represent- ing his country in midfield, it is still possible to catch a glimpse of his towering self-image. I believe I speak for all Wallace Arnold Friends For Literary Erudition (Waffle) when I say that he should not be pensioned off. For, to adapt the words of a lesser literary figure than Mr Arnold, he who is tired of Wallace must surely be tired of life.
Nicholas Alexander
Manor Cottage, Bowden, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland
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