10 FEBRUARY 1967, Page 15

Side Effect

Sta.—Surely the gest example of an inverted, or perverted, cliché is the one about the exception proving the rule: this it never does except in the sense of putting it to the test. As a runner-up, those whom the gods love are said to die young—but because they are well-preserved rather than because they are untimely snatched away by immortals dying to enjoy their company.

HARVEY R. COLE