PRAGUE INVADERS
Sir, — On Wednesday evening, the day that their Army had invaded Czechoslovakia, the U.S.S.R. State Orchestra was welcomed on to the Albert Hall platform by cheering promenaders. A tiny minority booed from the gallery and I joined them. The outraged businessman in the stall in front asked me to be quiet or go home. He was around my age — just about old enough at the time of Munich to join the T. A. when we heard of that earlier invasion of a tiny state by a greedy dictatorship.
I had been looking forward for weeks to hearing this orchestra and the genius of Rostropovich, the soloist, but left my seat with a feeling of deepest shame following the rapturous applause which greeted the conclusion of the overture. Of course, these fine artists have no direct connexion with the actions that their Government had just taken but they were representatives of their people, and as such should have carried back the message that the British people do care deeply about the fate of this small nation struggling by a peaceful means to achieve freedom.
Yours faithfully,
J. ALLEN,
Tinkers Green, Wentworth Close, Long Ditton, Surrey.
August 23, 1968.
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TIPPING SERVANTS
Sir, — The question of gratuities to servants after a visit to a country house is assuming an importance which is more than justified. Some such invitations are refused solely because a guest is unable to afford the amount necessary.
A system which has proved satisfactory: a small box with a slit in the lid is placed in the hall. Individual tips are forbidden, but guests may put in the box what they think fit.
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Your obedient servant,
E. B. RAYNER,
Lincoln’s Inn.
August 23, 1934.