3 NOVEMBER 1967, Page 35

Sir: I am a great admirer of Sir Denis Brogan's

entertaining and sophisticated 'Table Talk,' but may I, as a humble layman, question one of his judgments last week (27 October)?

He says that Brand was a great Speaker. But surely Brand was reponsible for the fracas of the Bradlaugh Affair, and would not allow Bradlaugh to affirm rather than deny his principles as an atheist and take the constitutional oath. It was Peel, Brand's successor, who dealt firmly with the whole question and reasserted the dignity of Par- liament. He deserves some title to greatness.

C. R. W. Shearer 1 Armonde Gate, London SW3