Regarding unusual measurements (Letters, 13 March), at the time of conversion to the metric system in the 1970s, a colleague proposed a novel set of standard units – the barleycorn, firkin, fortnight system. The barleycorn unit of length, based historically on one-third of the length of Henry VIII’s thumb to the first joint (about one inch); the firkin unit of weight equivalent to nine gallons of water; the fortnight unit of time – a micro-fortnight is about 1.2 seconds. Unfortunately, it never caught on and faded into the mists of time, but is remembered with fondness for my colleague, who had a classical education.
Mike Rowe
Offham, Kent
• I share Peter Bradshaw’s admiration of the original Kind Hearts and Coronets (How to Make a Killing review – one man on a bloody quest for his inheritance is a remake too far, 11 March). It’s surely one of the wittiest scripts ever written, culminating in a brilliant twist. As magnificent as Alec Guinness is in his multiple roles, I’ve always felt that Dennis Price, with his elegant performance and silky voiceover narration, is every bit his equal.
Richard Ommanney
Emsworth, West Sussex
• I was identified as a potential mate in a roomful of budding accountants on account of my leather jacket, cocktail glass-pattern socks and copy of the Guardian (Letters, 12 March). My wife and I recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of that meeting. I also offer a bed-warming service (Letters, 8 March).
Jon Fogden
Leeds
• It takes one to know one (Trump calls Iran leaders ‘deranged scumbags’ as Middle East violence spirals, 13 March).
Mike Garnier
Bristol
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