17 FEBRUARY 1950, Page 5

A friend of mine whom I will call Lord Jorrocks,

for the good reason that that is not his name, was attending a public function recently when a hearty gentleman greeted him cordially as " Sir John," which he never had been, and said, " So sorry we've lost you from the chairmanship of our council." " Thank you," said Jorrocks, mystified but diplomatic, in the hope that light would somehow dawn. " Yes," pursued his new-found friend, " I don't think much of the new man ; he made an awful mess of things last time." " Let me see," said Lord Jorrocks, still searching, " who is the new man ? " " Jorrocks." " Ah, yes," said Jorrocks sympathetically, " He always does make a mess of things."

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