13 DECEMBER 1946, Page 5

Damon Runyon's death is a real blow to the gaiety

of nations. Few American humourists with humour so esoteric have captured the public in the same way as Mr. Runyon. His molls and his citizens and his somewhats had their part in a vernacular all his own, but it was perfectly intelligible, admirably fresh and very genuinely and effortlessly humorous.

Alms.