14 JUNE 1935, Page 6

Look first on this quotation—from a publisher's advertisement : "

Mr. Beverley Nichols writes : I can honestly say this novel has great merit.' Well, it has, or rather its author has, the merit of sincerity and earnestness."—,Spectator.

and then on this—from The Spectator of May. 17th :

Of this novel the publishers inform us that Mr. Beverley Nichols writes : I can honestly say this novel has great merit.' Well, it has, or rather its author has, the merit of sincerity and earnestness : but I fear his merit as a writer is very small indeed!'

The publishers may be credited-with the merit of earnest-