Postscript .
A firm of 'international public-relations con- sultants,' Galitzine and Partners, has published two handsomely printed, but ill-written, pam- phlets on 'The Basic Principles' and 'The Philosophy of Public Relations,' one of which, under the heading 'A Definition of Ethics,' states that 'what people do not realise is that a definition of ethics should contain recognition of perfect egoism or self-interest, as being necessary for the achievement of the ultimate object or conclusion to human existence. . . . Now perhaps you can see where the ethical element comes in. It is not a streak of "do-goodness" in the moralist sense, but a highly calculated promotion of self-interest.'
Yes, now I can see where the ethical element comes in. Indeed, it sheds a new and highly ethical light —a sort of halo—on the cyclostyled handout sent out last week to popular national news- papers by 'The Scientific and Industrial News Agency,' headed 'The Bandbox Deb. Shuns Parties, which is all about 'pretty eighteen-year- old Jennifer'—I won't give her surname and the free publicity that goes with it, but I am prepared to reveal that she is the daughter of a deodorant manufacturer.
Jennifer, who is 'a slim, , vivacious brunette with a passion for fashion,' has left an 'exclusive Paris finishing school,' and sailed yesterday for New York in the Queen Mary, having been given the choice between a coming-out party and a trip tc the United States by her father whom, in view of the way he has made his money, it would be unkind to refer to as stinking rich.
Let us not be envious for, as 'The Scientific and Industrial News Agency' takes pains to assure us, 'it won't all be fun and games for Jennifer. She is intensely interested in fashion and beauty and has seen all the recent collections of the top Paris designers. These she will be com- paring with fashion and beauty trends in New York and in the holiday playgrounds of the rich Americans at Miami and Palm Beach.'
This is, after all, the age of the working girl and, 'giving her reasons for her choice between America and the London season, Jennifer says: "I think there are a lot of girls like me who don't just want to be social butterflies flitting from party to party during the deb. season, but who prefer to do something useful and practical. I feel sure that my trip to America will be far more rewarding and interesting than the party round and will be of positive use to me in seeing how young Americans are dressing, making- up and thinking."'
Thinking?
I referred last week to Mr. Cliff Richards, a 'rock 'n' roll' performer—incorrectly, for the gentleman's name is not Richards but Richard. The only reader to correct me—perhaps the only reader to spot it—wrote from Claridge's Hotel.
* I am trying to build up a cellar for a child— now only one year old—so that when he is twenty-one he will have something to drink, or to sell, or to stand his friends. This year, I put a fiver into port for, though I am only a luke- warm lover of vintage port myself, the boy may turn out to think, and to drink, otherwise. In any case, no wine is a better investment, for no wine (except Madeira) lasts so long. or increases so much in value. On advice, I bought Taylor 1955 —a year which is tipped as likely to prove out- standing among the last twenty or so. The Army and Navy Stores lists it, along with nine other great shippers' ports of the same year, all at 18s. a bottle : half a dozen bottles cost £5 8s.
Look what the chance of capital appreciation is. At Restell's wine auction last month, 670s. a dozen—almost 56s. a bottle—was paid for Gilley 1927; between 400s...and 610s. for all the other 1927s.; and 500s. to 510s. for the various 1935s. I only wish I had been buying them before the war.
CYRIL RAY
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