I suppose smuggling is really to be regarded as a
kind of primitive passion. Otherwise. it is singularly hard to explain the cases,. of which two cropped up in Tuesdays papers, of persons (usually women) of position, and some- times titled, who insist on endeavouring to introdin:e surreptitiously into this country articles on which duty is payable. There is, of course, a kind of sportipg side to the adventure, but the publicity which 'attends conviction elm be hardly more agreeable than the swingeing fines which represent the .usual penalty. The argument that you are entitled to regard interchanges with the Customs Otliccr. as a kind of contest which you are entitled to win if you can may leave room for some discussion, but when it comes to the flat lie which consists in asserting brazenly that nothing in your luggage is dutiable, I should have thought a sharp line might well be drawn.
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