First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you must identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a novel that marked a decline in reputation, according to the author's contemporaries:

"London. Michaelmas Term lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln's Inn Hall."

* Entries, including postal address, should be sent to: First Impressions, The Times Higher, Admiral House 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BXJFax: 020 7782 3300; email: theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner receives a half-case of wine. (Please include a telephone number to arrange delivery.) The closing date is July 26.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified Woody Guthrie's Bound for Glory , is Dick Campain of the faculty of engineering, Imperial College, London.

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