12 MAY 1939, Page 15

How delightful it was last Saturday to escape from all

these sombre falsities and to feel the breeze of England fresh upon one's cheek. I sailed down, that sun-splashed afternoon, from Southampton to Portsmouth. Here at least was strength, enthusiasm and reality. The great black bulk of the ' Renulse ' stood out against the sunlight like a fortress of resolve. The flags and the crowds cheered our young sovereigns upon their imperial mission. And mean- while the ' Europa,' under her swastika, crept lonely and almost empty into Southampton docks.