6 MARCH 1959, Page 20

S1R,—Strix, in his recollections of the maiden voyage of the

Queen Mary, says nothing of the row that had raged beforehand over the designs for the decora- tions of its principal saloons. These were com- missioned from Mr. Duncan Grant, but turned down, despite widespread public protest, by the Cunard Line, who found them, so far as 1 recall, too 'modern.'

What has become of these paintings, which must surely rank among the best of our time? I myself treasure an oil sketch for a detail of one of them. If they survive, it would be an honourable amend on the part of the Cunard Linc, today doubtless more enlightened in matters of art, to place them on exhibition.—Yours faithfully,

KINROSS