Housman at Work & Play

To the Editors:

Bernard Knox’s review of the recent A.E. Housman biography draws attention yet again to the now notorious list of assignations. Having through the kindness of its private owner seen the original, I can confirm an impression readily made from the various reports of the document, that the questioned figures do not refer to prices or satisfactions but to times of day. No great mystery need be made of it: Whatever Housman did with the danseur, boxeur, marin, Niçois or others, he did it either after luncheon or after dinner, at 3 p.m., or 9 or 10 p.m.

Alan Bell

Oxford, England