John Crace was underwhelmed by the British Museum’s parlous four-item exhibition to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence (Digested week, 7 August). Perhaps next time he should instead visit the British Library, whose free exhibition on the American Revolution in its Treasures gallery includes the original stamps from the 1765 Stamp Act, letters from combatants, maps and more. It even brings the story right up to date with banners invoking the revolution used in recent No Kings protests against Donald Trump.
Joan Lock
York
• In West Sussex, we stand with Simon Jenkins (I stand to defend vertical drinking. Is a pub that doesn’t allow it a real pub at all?, theguardian.com, 7 August). One of the local pubs in Lindfield is named The Stand Up Inn. It is said that a local employer built it without seats to ensure his workforce did not spend too long refreshing themselves. Currently it has seating for the weak-hearted drinker.
Elaine Fear
Horsted Keynes, West Sussex
• Thomas Paine was born and raised in Thetford, Norfolk. He famously wrote: “My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” He must be turning in his grave following recent events in the town ((Norfolk police arrest two men after officers injured during unrest over asylum plans, 6 August).
Jol Miskin
Sheffield
• Regardless of the impression he has made on the public (A TikTok PM may seem laughable – but reaching young people like me might just keep Labour in office, 10 August), has Andy Burnham yet succeeded in forging a relationship with Larry the Downing Street cat? I think we should be told.
Jane Gregory
Emsworth, Hampshire
• Your article on Hull Maritime Museum (6 August) says that Philip Larkin had “measured out his life in coffee spoons”. This was of course more famously the pastime of J Alfred Prufrock, as created by TS Eliot. Larkin, meanwhile, wrote that “Man hands on misery to man”, which accurately describes the current state of Hull’s road network.
Barry Young
Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire
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