6 JUNE 1970, Page 26

False spore

Sir: Is not John (Mushroom) Allegro (23 May) indulging in a clever, gigantic leg-pull? His very surname provides the clue—lively, sprightly. If his middle name is Mirth (as I feel It ought to be), even the staid lady of Christ's could have cultivated, perhaps not mushrooms, but a sense of humour by en- joying such company as his.

And did not Longfellow long ago warn us to beware of 'laughing Allegro'—insep- arably associated with the children's hour? But, perhaps, after all, he is genuinely en- deavouring to throw light on the sacred Cross: his controversial book, however, is light fantastic (toe the oecumenical/exege- tical line, John 'Mirth' Allegro!).

Frederick G. Rich ford 'Strathspey', 20 Stainsby Street, St Leonards- on-Sea, Sussex