6 APRIL 1991, Page 24

Sir: C. H. Rolph will find reference to the phrase

'between two stools' on page 57 of The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs. More than half a dozen sources from Seneca to Trollope are listed.

A typical reference comes from Field- ing's 'Tom Thumb': 'While the two stools her sittingpart confound/Between 'em both fall squat upon the ground.'

Eric King

90 Ombersley Road, Worcester