A note to the reader

When reading through these pieces, please bear in mind the period in which they were written. Sometimes the language and attitudes of the time will make a modern reader wince. I have left them unchanged (except for the occasional spelling correction) to reflect the evolution of the way we have come to regard ourselves. The later columns may not be exactly as they appeared in print – I have used what was submitted rather than what was published, and the editor may have made minor changes. Mostly, though, my copy was printed without editorial interference.