The diplomatic art of the visitors’ book

SIR – Some years ago my wife and I stayed at a B&B on Cape Cod. Breakfast, served at 8am precisely (woe betide you if you were late), consisted of eight courses, all featuring edible wild flowers. Each course was introduced by the owner with a clap of her hands. Requests for toast and coffee were ignored.

Before leaving we were encouraged to contribute to the visitors’ book (Letters, September 10). Not wishing to offend, we wrote: “We will tell all our friends about you.” And we have. John Ball Lingfield, Surrey

SIR – After staying with his friend the duc de Gramont, Marcel Proust was asked to sign the visitors’ book, but to do so pas de remarque.

Proust’s two-page letter of indignation at this advice now has pride of place in the book. Dominic Weston Smith

Faringdon, Oxfordshire