Madam, - Sir George Bain of the Queen's University of Belfast has lately stated: "I am a very strong opponent of the notion that some subjects at undergraduate level are more useful than others". He has also remarked that companies want to hire graduates with degrees in philosophy and English because such persons are good at getting on with others, are innovative and imaginative.
It is good to see that Sir George, a conspicuous venerator of Mammon and the Market, is at last showing some awareness of the true nature of a university. However, the merit of subjects cannot be measured by the number of persons studying them. Perhaps Sir George would care now to explain why his regime at Queen's has been characterised by the destruction of studies, such as geology and classics well known for their capacity to foster civility and intelligence in polite society. - Yours, etc.,
GEORGE HUXLEY, Trinity College, Dublin 2.