The 1950 Who's Who, 1 observe, costs 85s. To persons
in my position that sounds a lot, but there are those who would gladly part with 850s. rather than miss Who's Who. The main value of the
volume no doubt is practical ; it is indispensable for persons who for reasons creditable or otherwise want to know things about other
people. But study of it can equally be an infinitely entertaining diversion. If you bear in mind that every entry is an autobiography, not a compilation by the editor, you soon find character staring you in the face as plain as fact. When you find a writer bumping out his record with every little triviality he has ever been guilty of, and so securing twice as much in inches as a more distinguished operator in the same line of business, you know what to expect if (by mis- fortune) you ever meet him. There is that odd requirement, too, about recreations. Does that also cast a sidelight on character ? At any rate you can almost literally see eminent persons who obviously have none at all scouring their brains in the effort to invent one. My eye, as I write, falls on " croquet." That seems no worse an improvisation than anything else, if it does a little stamp a man. Croquet. " Oh God, Oh Montreal."
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