Sir, - In his diatribe against political optimism (May 22nd) Kevin Myers asserted that Sinn Fein really does mean "Ourselves Alone". Reflexive pronouns do not entail exclusivity. Sinn Fein means "We ourselves". The distinction, unknown to Mr Myers, is not only of logical but also of political significance. -Yours, etc.,
Honorary Professor, TCD,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.