9 JULY 2005, Page 17

Public parts

From Anthony Weale

Sir: Max Hastings tells a story about two well-known MFHs who argued at dinner about the relative size of their private parts (Diary, 2 July). In the 1930s Sir Thomas Beecham and Richard Strauss were about to board the Golden Arrow at Victoria Station and, like Sir Max’s huntsmen, had an argument about the size of their members. They did not, however, retire timidly, but settled the matter man to man on the platform. The competition was observed by a Scottish singer, the late John Tainsh, who told me about it over 40 years ago.

Anthony Weale Bath