  The almost perfect correspondence between certain laws of classical black
hole mechanics and the ordinary laws of thermodynamics is spoiled by the
failure of the conventional back hole analogue of the third law. Our aim here
is to contribute to the associated discussion by flashing light on some simple
facts of black hole physics. However, no attempt is made to lay to rest the
corresponding long lasting debate. Instead, merely some evidence is provided to
make it clear that although the borderline between extremal and non-extremal
black holes is very thin they are essentially different. Hopefully, a careful
investigation of the related issues will end up with an appropriate form of the
third law and hence with an unblemished setting of black hole thermodynamics.
