Letter: Of lesser mortals

WHO, AND what, is Gilbert Adair (The Guillotine, Culture, 21 February)? Can he lay any claim to fame other than perhaps to have been presciently in Alexander Pope's mind?

Pretty! In Amber to observe the forms

Of hairs, or straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms;

The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,

But wonder how the Devil they got there.

(Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot)

In spite of Mr Adair, I shall sleep easily, confident in the knowledge that the name of JB Priestley will live long after the scythe of time has had its way with lesser mortals.

PAUL HICKS

Surbiton, Surrey