The Editor, Sir:

Like the Prime Minister I find that playing with the number seven can be an intriguing game. For instance, I fell asleep the other night while listening to Ben E. King wailing as he sang about his "Seven letters" to an unresponsive object of his affection; and I had a dream as the CD played on.

As I snoozed, there came before me the word scandal and I noted that it contained seven letters. Right after that I saw Sandals and that too was made up of seven letters. And then I saw Trafigura Scandal - 16 letters (1 plus 6 = 7). Next, Furniture Scandal - again 16 letters; and following fast behind was Oil Waiver Scandal yet again 16 letters.

The disturbing vision continued when I saw National Solid Waste Scandal 25 letters (2 plus 5 = 7). Then appeared Telecommuni-cations Scandal again 25 letters. After that: Operation Pride Scandal 21 letters, (triple 7).

Those seven scandals so disturbed my rest that I suddenly awoke in time to hear the CD still playing and Ben E. King urging "Don't play it no more/ I can't stand it no more". The entire lyrics of that song seem so relevant that I am amazed by the fact that it is number 7 on my CD.

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

alllerdyce@hotmail.com