Quincy, that is unworthy of you. It is lefties who hate the stuff the common man and woman likes.

Not you of course, Athene.

"Not you of course, Athene."

Χαίρομαι που είπατε αυτό.

θεά Αθηνά

I think I must contrive a Grexit. This is the other Athene, Ann. It is a suitably obscure reference to that grand dropper of bricks, John Giegud. He remarked to the rather saurian Athene Seyler, 'I'm always having to go on stage with these dreadful old bags. Not you, of course, Athene.

Quincy is, of course, far different from the appalling lefties I am talking about. Like Simon Armitage, if you like.

I had remembered the anecdote, John. I was merely flaunting my aegis.

But others may not, Ann. Perhaps Quincy, though fearfully erudite, might not have heard it. And I have every intention of using it again.

If you've got it, flaunt it.

Anybody else have anything to say, or any suggestions, regarding Alicia's candidacy?

I'm all for it.
Rick Mullin

OK, let me just make sure I understand. You can only vote if you went to Oxford, right? And if you didn't, the only help you can offer is to spread the word to Oxford graduates?

If that's the case, I don't think I'll be very helpful, though I'll be delighted if Alicia wins.

It's not enough to have gone to Oxford, Roger. You also have to have bought an M.A. Most Oxford graduates have not done that, though I have. I paid my five pounds (now ten pounds I gather) because I thought MA. sounded better to the ignorant _ I mean people ignorant of Oxford's arcane procedures. I have never voted in the professorial elections because you used to have to go to Oxford in person, which I never had the inclination to do. However, it now seems that might astral body is sufficient, so I shall cast my vote. And it will be for Alicia, by far the best candidate, if it's a poet you want.

My old Oxford tutor was Professor. His poetic output was limited to one poem but he was the best Oxford English don of his generation. John Jones, a good friend of Iris Murdoch.

Better than Ricks? Better than John Carey? Yes, better. His degree was in Law. Read his book on Wordsworth. I know none better.

Milton's Grand Style by Ricks is excellent.