24 MAY 1957, Page 7

`To THOSE of us who still, after forty years and

more, cherish the memories of the entertainments which Percy French used to give all over Ireland, your plea for respect for his works was heart warming.' Thus, the Director of the Talbot Press in Dublin, sending me a copy of Percy French: Prose, Poems and Parodies. Unfortunately the collection, chosen by Percy French's sister, is not comprehensive, leaving out a few of his more entertaining lyrics, and including some ephemeral stuff. Still, I am glad to see it is still available.

* * *