2 JANUARY 1953, Page 18

"Marginal Comment"

SIR,—How could you, Sir, how could you darken our New Year by hurling this horrible news at us ? I can only say that in my opinion you are gravely at fault in not having safeguarded your readers long since by entering into an irrevocable agreement with Mr. Nicolson for a weekly Marginal Comment for ninety-nine years or the period of his life, whichever might be jhe longer.—Yours faithfully,

Netherfield, Richmond Road, Stockton-on-Tees. -

DORM DOWNEY.