4 APRIL 1952, Page 28

SIR,—How refreshing to read D. C. Somervell's defence of our

National Anthem, and how much 1 agree with each adjective applied to " Land of Hope and Glory." My present object is to say a good word for the second verse of " God Save the Queen," although this is looked down on in some quarters. Its petitions may seem in part superfluous in times of real peace, but when Hitler and Mussolini nearly had things their own way, from Munich onwards, there was some bite in references to knavish tricks, and we were mightily relieved when their politics were confounded. Even in a time of merely " cold " war do we want to be mealy-mouthed 7-1 am, Sir, your faithfully,