12 MARCH 1983, Page 19

Sir: Why all the puzzlement about tie-rings? They were common

enough a century ago. I have two which belonged to arty grand- father: he was born in 1860 and died aged 93, by which time he had reverted to the fashions of his youth, and wore one, usual- 13/ below the knot, occasionally in place of it. Both have semi-precious stones in an oval or circular mounting, but their essen- tial feature is that the ring is flattened on the obverse side, so that it rests properly on the shirt.

When I become too arthritic or too fat to fasten my ties, I shall follow my grand- father's example. I think Auberon Waugh would look splendid with one.

T. M. Higham

Crayke Castle, York