7 AUGUST 1993, Page 27

Flying Buttresses

The central pillars know they have to give, Be seen to give, support — and this they do, Smugly unshiftable: out here we have A draughtier, more detached, irreverent view.

They could dispense with some of us, no doubt: Most privileged insiders think, perhaps, Only insiders matter — but, without Us here outside, the thickest walls collapse.

Robert Roberts