Notes & Asides

Dear Mr. Buckley:

Regarding retromingent as animadversion [“On the Right,” Sept. 29]: Were Mr. Irvine of different gender, not only would it be biologically possible, it is an anatomical fact. And neither would it be disparaging: for all that the function affords the lady a comparative comfort and ease, it does not thereby make a minx of her. On the other hand, perhaps the celebrated Mr. Bradlee in a fit of androgynous confusion had a fearful and fevered vision of a mounted posse, retros at the cock, streaming past his bloodshot eyes. But I have a sneaking suspicion it was sheer rhetorical subterfuge: I prefer to think that, based upon the juxtaposition of the elements in the story, the devious Mr. Bradlee vented his spleen with unerring aim, not upon Reed Irvine— him he used as surrogatus conveniens—but on the noble Katharine. But, dear me, lest this take on the aspects of a soap drama, let us assure Mr. Irvine (such is our confidence) that, Mr. Bradlee or no—indeed, Mrs. Graham or no—we stand behind him and AIM 100 per cent.

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William F. Buckley Jr.

Dear Mr. Buckley:

Regarding retromingent as animadversion [“On the Right,” Sept. 29]: Were Mr. Irvine of different gender, not only would it be biologically possible, it is an anatomical fact. And neither would it be disparaging: for all that the function affords the lady a comparative comfort and ease, it does not thereby make a minx of her. On the other hand, perhaps the celebrated Mr. Bradlee in a fit of androgynous confusion had a fearful and fevered vision of a mounted posse, retros at the cock, streaming past his bloodshot eyes. But I have a sneaking suspicion it was sheer rhetorical subterfuge: I prefer to think that, based upon the juxtaposition of the elements in the story, the devious Mr. Bradlee vented his spleen with unerring aim, not upon Reed Irvine— him he used as surrogatus conveniens—but on the noble Katharine. But, dear me, lest this take on the aspects of a soap drama, let us assure Mr. Irvine (such is our confidence) that, Mr. Bradlee or no—indeed, Mrs. Graham or no—we stand behind him and AIM 100 per cent.