I am a very infrequent listener to the B.B.C. news,
but such criticism as I have seen of their supposedly alarmist tendencies has always appeared to emanate from the same people who are regularly taken aback by each European disaster as it comes along. During this last difficult week- end it was impossible for the most determined Germanophile to have found fault with the character of the news bulletins. They were precise, lucid and detached. They were cer- tainly alarming, for otherwise they would not have been true. But they were anything but alarmist. The B.B.C. is after all the only disseminator of news which is in no way influenced by the desire of advertisers for an occasional false dawn ; and its goodwill may be of decisive influence in time of war. On the t3th of July—if there is any 13th of July—the Georgian Group is to stage a ball and fête champetre at Osterley. Last year's Georgian Ball, in the gardens of Mecklenburgh Square, was the most enchanting occasion imaginable. There were not only to be found the usual intellect and beauty disporting themselves in Mr. Messel's elegant marquee, and sitting out their dances on the seats of berlins, landaus and barouches. Among them mixed the people of the side streets round about. Young men in sweaters joined the strings of Lambeth Walkers. A local boy's club performed a wonderfully gauche and as wonder- fully genuine ballet. Dear old ladies in bonnets warmed themselves around the braziers and sang the praises of free beer. The expensive buffet was not more popular than the coffee-stall which offered " Courtesy Coffee Civility Sandwiches Service. 'Id. a cup. Why Pay More? " The natural good manners of the Londoner and his gift of enjoyment were never more delightfully exhibited. I hope that the removal to Osterley will not kill this spontaneously democratic character, nor intrude the social standards of the Great West Road. At all events, the Georgian Ball must be raised into an annual event.
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