Tim: I take all these points. But the point at immediate issue is as to whether all should bear the necessary expense of the institution, SO LONG AS IT DOES EXIST. That was the point of my comparison with those who objected to paying for other people's children's education. So long as the institution exists by the expressed will of the majority, it is surely the duty of all democrats to take a share in maintaining it, even those in favour of its abolition (as nobody denies them their undisputed right to do). I trust you will not argue that it is somehow being imposed on us against most people's will: that cock really won't fight, you know.

I have no interest in the succession. I haven't that much interest in royalty at all, I repeat; except that I happen genuinely to enjoy the concomitant pageantry ~~ a part of "Tradition", which all of us here love, don't we?; and that I happen to have the temperament which believes that the best place to start from is where you happen to be ~~ which I appreciate is not one shared by all, or even many.

Best

~Michael~