23 JANUARY 1948, Page 5

Mr. Mackenzie King, I read in the Evening Standard, if

he stays in office till April 21st, will have been a Prime Minister longer than any man in the history of the Commonwealth, for "he will beat Sir Horace Walpole's record of zo years 326 days." That would indeed be a distinction. Sir Horace, as is well known, killed the boring hours on 'the Treasury bench by writing those numerous letters that have done so much more for his memory than facile

epigrams about ringing bells and wringing hands.