5 JANUARY 1985, Page 17

Sir: I am sorry to disappoint the publishers, but a

necessary prefix slipped out of my Johnson ruminations (Books, 15 Decem- ber). The sentence should have read that T. S. Wharton's book 'displays a vigour and originality to which one has long been unaccustomed in these highly-priced Mac- millan academic studies.'

Christopher Hawtree

113 Albert Palace Mansions, Lurline Gardens, London SW11