ELPHIN

Sir, - In hips very interesting Irishman's Diary (January 14th), Patsy McGarry attributes to Percy French the doggerel:

The mouse, for want of stairs,

Ran down the rope to say his prayers.

I have always thought it was Goldsmith who wrote the lines.

I daresay Elphin could claim Percy French, as a native son, although he was actually born and reared on the French estate at Cloonyquin, near Tulsk, on the road to Boyle.

Many congratulations are in order to Elphin Heritage Society on their excellent achievements to date, and on their proposed restoration of the old Cathedral. - Yours, etc.,

Cartronkeel House,

Moate, Co. Westmeath.