23 JUNE 1973, Page 5

Homer nods again

Sir: Poor Hilaire! His opinion of politicians, never very high, must surely be sinking to unplumbed depths as, from his lofty perch, he sees himself misrepresented twice in the Spectator within a few weeks. First Mr Maudling quotes him and gives Robert Burns the credit, and is gently chided for it by a correspondent. Now we see Enoch Powell (June 16), his usual erudition missing a beat, substitute Gatling for Maxim. The Spectator rubs salt in the wound by putting the thing in big letters at the top. Belloc must be feeling nostalgically that even the House of Commons in 1910 was never quite as bad as this.

A. Bainbridge 63 Avenue Road, Farnborough, Hants.