[John Whitworth]

The Language Barrier proved too much for me, and, at least in Lucy's opinion, for most of you. The ever-excellent Chris O'Carroll carried our banner alone. I am especially indebted to him for providing a source for the phrase 'I collect' used throughout Patrick O'Brian's novels.


Competition No. 2659 Novel approach
You are invited to take the title of a well-known novel and write an amusing poem with the same title (16 lines maximum). Entries should be submitted by email, where possible, to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 4 August.


The new competition looks to provide plenty of scope. The Turn of the Screw? What Katy Did? Oh dear. More rudery.