13 MAY 1955, Page 8

EVERY SCHOOLBOY knows that Thomas Carlyle, finding that a maidservant

had inconsiderately popped the completed manu- script of The French Revolution into the fife, said not a word, but sat down and started to write it all over again. Perhaps Colonel Scotland, the former secret agent, can draw a little comfort from the story, for he is in the same sort of predica- ment. The War Office is evidently determined that he should not publish his autobiography; having laid hands on the manu- script they refuse to let go. (I have not heard whether they have shoved it in a stove yet or not.) Colonel Scotland is equally determined to publish, in the United States if not in this country, and is now sitting down to write his book for the second time.