29 JULY 1949, Page 5

After lunch the other day somebody asked somebody else: "What

are the nicest, the most beautiful, the most inspiring words you have ever heard spoken ? " Various people recalled remarks which had given them extreme pleasure when they were uttered, but it was a friend of mine, who is what used to be called a good trencherman, whose contribution carried the most conviction. "My choice," he

said firmly, "is: There's nothing to follow but mutton. Give * Mr. Pilbeam another partridge.'" Sretx.