6 MARCH 1959, Page 8

COLLECTING BUTLER ISMS has become a favourite sport among politicians

and students of the House of Commons. A Butlerism is an innocent, off- the-cull compliment which is intended to decorate the recipient •Ke a medal but which, when pinned to his chest, is suddenly seen to be pro- truding through his shoulder blades. Having learned the value of the Butlerism to collectors, Mr. Butler has been artificially restricting their production—though they still crop up at his oil'- the-record conferences with the press. Last week, however, another prize specimen slipped out at a meeting of the Oxford Tory Association. Announcing that he would send a message of support from himself and his audience, to the Prime Minister in Moscow,' he commented : 'With this support, God knows what he will do with Mr. Khrushchev on Monday.'

PHAROS