Letter: Imperial century

Sir: No, Mr Isaacs (letter, 7 August), our forefathers did not make the same "mistake" at the end of the 19th century as we are (deliberately and perversely?) making at the end of the 20th. A leading article in The Times of 1 January 1900 contains the following.

"The New Year, the last of the nineteenth century, which begins today, is not unlikely to mark a turning point in the history of the British Empire." It then goes on with a detailed analysis of the course of the War in South Africa.

The Times editorial on 1 January 1901 says: "The twentieth century has dawned upon us and as we float past this great landmark on the shores of time feelings of awe and wonder naturally creep over us." The whole issue is awash with copy and advertisements greeting the dawn of the new era.

The Rev DAVID GREGG

Newton Longville, Buckinghamshire