7 OCTOBER 2000, Page 36

Dirty linen

From Mr Alexander Chancellor Sir: I wish to apologise to Anthony Holden for implying in the Diary (23 September) that he doesn't know the meaning of the word 'enseam'. He does. As a reader has pointed out, his use of it was clearly inspired by Hamlet's words to his mother (Act III, Scene 4, Iine 92):

Nay, but to live In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love Over the nasty sty. . . .

Alexander Chancellor

Souldern Road, London W14