In writing a piece for G2 about Harry Mount's terrific book Amo, Amas, Amat - an elegant and witty guide to the wonders of the Latin language that has been sweeping up the Amazon bestseller list - I inadvertently stepped on a viper.

The guardians of the Cambridge Latin Course, taught to most pupils who study the language, are mightily upset by criticisms of the course made by my interviewee, Rebecca Leek - or, as they call her, "one part-time teacher".

The estimable Leek's response to the spat is worth reading on her blog - see her postings from December 5 and 8.

I'm off soon to write my own book about Latin; and it will not be making any mention of the Cambridge course.