Letter: Rue Britannia

Sir: I enjoyed Paul Johnson's review (8 March) of our supposed national predilection for whinging and bemoaning our lot when times are hard or uncertain, but are we unique in displaying this characteristic?

Can no other nation or people be found who can trace a similar line through their history of national figures crying woe? Or is this just another of our characteristics, a certain insularity?

Yours fainthfully,

VERNON PHILLPOT

Alford, Lincolnshire

8 March