Bottomley's pocket
From E.S Turner Sir: Matthew Parris (Another voice, 11 August) failed to mention one good deed by Horatio Bottomley which merits praise. His John Bull ran a literary competition with four-figure prizes for three or four words of wit, which compares very favourably with the rewards offered in The Spectator's weekly competition. The idea behind 'Bullets' was to take a phrase from a given list and make a clever comment based on it. Thus, in 1913 'Wedding March' yielded the comment 'Aisle Altar Hymn', which earned £500. In 1932 the reader who capped 'If We Want Peace' with 'Let meek greet meek' pocketed 4.500 guineas. Match that, Jaspistos.
As a reporter in Glasgow, I interviewed the old rogue in his late music-hall days. I suppose I should have asked him whether it was true that in the early days of 'Bullets' the top prizes were sometimes collusively returned to him.
E.S. Turner
Richmond, Surrey
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