20 JULY 1962, page 24

Saying Is Inventing

Happy Days. By Samuel Beckett. (Faber, 9s. 6d.) What does it mean? he says—What's it meant to mean?—and so on—lot more stuff like that—usual drivel.. . . And you, she says'......

The Umbrella Men

Britain's Locust Years, 1918-1940. By William McElwee. (Faber, 25s.) THROUGHOUT the first half of Britain's Locust Years, William McElwee is content to relate the story; he......

The Great Game

Marshal of France. By Jon Manchip White. (Hamish Hamilton, 35s.) THE life of Maurice de Saxe, Marshal of France in the service of Louis XV, has been little known in Britain, and......