5 JANUARY 1991, Page 20

Sir: Following five years of systematic bullying at Cheltenham Ladies'

College, my subsequent education at Marlborough was a welcome release and a delight. I was treated with unfailing courtesy and good humour by the masters, and felt loved and cherished by the boys with whom I became friends.

Perhaps the anonymous contributors to Sandra Barwick's rather partisan research might reflect that a sense of humour is an essential quality in life. And perhaps, too, I might offer a toast to Hugh Weldon, a misogynist who had, during my time at Marlborough, the unfortunate task of teaching Latin to a class of six, of whom three were girls. An interesting ratio, don't you think?

Chen Wallace

51 Beak Street, London W1