I did not know when or where Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star was written (Gazette, January 27).

But I do remember it was in the late Thirties that an “improved” version appeared in the Boy’s Own Paper.

It was purportedly written by a professor of astronomy, who felt the original was unsuitable reading matter for his young son.

It went: Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific, Fain would I fathom thy nature specific; Loftily poised in ether capacious, Strongly resembling a gem carbonaceous.

I haven’t seen it since, so it must have impressed me.

David Ball
Rainham Way
Frinton