21 JULY 1923, Page 22

" I have a profound dislike for biographies as they

are poured forth to-day," writes Mr. Rainsford in his introductory chapter. " Most of them have little value and some of them have no excuse. They are poor, sloppy stuff." So, to prevent any such criticism in his own case, he has written an auto- biography. That it should be " poor, sloppy stuff " no one need fear, for Mr. Rainsford has led too strenuous and varied a life, both physically and intellectually, for the story of it to be anything but interesting. He has, too, a clean, vigorous style that marches well through the events that he narrates.