21 JUNE 1940, Page 22

What of the Night ? By Watchman. (Hamish Hamilton. 8s.

6d.) " WATCHMAN," who would appear to spend much of his time in the Press Gallery of the House of Commons, speculates in this rambling book on the future of the political parties, and of various more or less prominent members. He " missed the bus," as the ex-Prime Minister would say, in assuming that Mr. Chamberlain, thanks in part to the Conservative Chief Whip, was immovable, for Mr. Churchill's Cabinet was formed the day after " Watchman's" book was published. And this fundamental mistake must weaken the reader's faith in " Watchman's " judge- ment, whether of men or of affairs. His gloomy chapter entitled, " What Shall We Lose? " on the possible effects of air raids here, and his general comments on the League and British policy seem a little out of place.