Their Favourite Reading?

• SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. 284 Report by Cinna

Competitors were invited to write about 'My Daily Express' for the Archbishop of Canterbury; 'My Tatter,' by Aneurin Bevan; 'My London Gazette,' by Crawfie; 'My Manchester Guardian,' by Senator McCarthy; 'My Daily Herald,' by Lady Megan Lloyd George; or 'My Home Chat,' by Miss Compton-Burnett.

Tills competition really offered two targets, the Daily Mail puff and its puffer. Few competitors missed the first, but not many came close to the second. I hesitate to sug- gest that Crawfie's literary style is more familiar to readers of the Spectator than Miss Compton-Burnett's; none the less, they hit it off more accurately.

Senator McCarthy was well represented, Senator McCarthy was well represented. but there was a tine clutch of Archbishops and a finer one of Bevans. However, I doubt if the Express deserves the gentle handling too many competitors gave it. Of the Bevans, I liked Major Dicker's 'It is some- times useful to know where a Member was when he should have been in the House.' I recommend a first prize of £2 10s. to R. B. Browning, a second prize of 30s. to the Rev. J. P. Stevenson, and two third prizes of 10s. to D.'R. Peddy and Nancy Gunter. Runners-up : Colin Prestige (whose entry is printed) and R. Kennard Davis.

PRIZES

(R. B. BROWNING) CRAWFIE'S 'LONDON GAZETTE'

My London Gazette appeals to me, as a woman, because it presents real news with no distortions, graphically and in the true British way.

There are bankruptcies, partnerships that have broken up and names that have been changed by deed poll. What wonderfully inter- esting stories are behind all these! And that weekly statement of British Corn! Where is it possible to get such figures but in the London Gazette!

There are thousands of other Interesting figure's to pick from, too, and I am fascinated by the Receipts and Issues from the Exchequer which show how we, in this country, are get- ting along in spite of all our difficulties. I always read the London Gazette—every word and figure, and I do think that more women should, too.

(REV. J. P. STEVENSON) MY 'TAMER,' BY ANEURIN BEVAN

Visitors are sometimes surprised to see my Tatter in the sitting-room, but I cannot imagine why. I have never made any secret of my working-class origin, and I consider it a duty as well as a pleasure to take a journal that is so widely read by the people. It was indeed the sight of the Taller in every public library that gave me, years ago, my idea of the Health Service—a means of retailing to all, without cost, the privileges enjoyed by the wealthy.

The book reviews are excellent, and when my wife and I want ideas for a holiday we know where to look. Of course I don't agree with everything that gets into the Taller, just as I don't agree with everybody who gets into the Shadow Cabinet; but I have no intention of resigning from the one, or discontinuing the other.

(1). R. PEDDY) MY 'TAMER,' BY ANEURIN BEVAN

I would not be without my Taller. But for reading of the type of life it portrays, it is doubtful whether I should ever have left the mines and set out on my career. I find its 'Diary of the Week' especially interesting. How comforting to contemplate mid-week race meetings—well attended, yet with no perceptible drop in industrial output; how different from mid-week greyhound rac- ing, dealt with in papers for less privileged strata of society ! Private dances in the drawing rooms and sweated labour below stairs; cricket matches at schools where a new genera- tion of Tory Cabinet Ministers is being reared—how valuable is continuity in the British tradition !

My Tatter shows all this and more. Dining in—dining out—dining, at any rate, at eight o'clock for certain. not at one o'clock if you're very lucky! Yes, my Tatter is very much part of my life.

(NANCY GUNTER)

MY 'LONDON GAZETTE,' BY Caswrie I was, of course, practically brought up on the London Gazette and when I became governess at Buckingham Palace I was delighted to find that it was included in the publications selected for the Princesses' schoolroom reading. At first its arrival was always the signal for a friendly scuffle between the Royal sisters, but finally, to my joy, two copies at a time appeared and peace reigned. One of the girls would read out a name from its pages and the other would joyously identify its owner. In later years my elder pupil would retire blushfully into a corner with her copy and emerge gay or depressed according to the appearance or otherwise of a certain piece of Naval Intelligence, and had to submit to some mischievous sisterly teasing on the subject.

COMMENDED

(cc:K.1N PRESTIGE)

MY 'LONDON GAZETTE,' BY CRAWFIE

I read the London Gazette because it is the only paper to be published by authority of our beautiful Queen. One day it will be pub- lished by authority of Prince Charles! The bankruptcy notices and legal advertisements are very' important to those who take an in- terest in business. But I think the most interest- ing things of all are the wonderful Honours Lists published in those special bumper supple- ments on New Year's Day and on Elizabeth's birthday. It is always tremendously exciting to see who has got the Garter and all those other wonderful decorations and medals. 1 still hope to see my own name in the London Gazette! When she was young, 1 used to order our beloved Queen to have her bath. Perhaps one day soon she will give me her order of the Bath!