4 SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. 138

Report by Frank Evelyn Competitors were invited to submit excerpts from the autumn lists of imaginary publishers, and the usual prizes were offered for the most hateful compilations.

PUBLISHERS have their own ways of assessing what the public is likely to want at any time, but I wonder if they realise how passionately the readers dislike some sorts of writing ? The prizes were offered for a particularly repulsive list, but some of the individual works deserve mention. Byron in Egypt, for instance, with the explanation : " Although Byron was never in Egypt, this fully documented study of his absence from Egypt is indispensable to all Byron scholars and the general reader " (Maurice Cranston)' or Teach Yourself Square Dancing by Zeke Woolley, F.I.M.T.D.A.(F. E. C. Shearme). Mrs. Theodora Hill from Washington, D.C., produces the nightmare volume Encyclopaedia of Himalayan Salpiglossis : " 1,476 fact- packed pages about the origin and culture of these fascinating non- flowering plants...." Granville Garley tweaks the biographers with My Grandfather knew Eliza Cook ! by the author of My Great- Aunt knew Martin Tupper I and G. J. Blundell comments on the size and price of some books with Verses from my Arbour by Rosa Canker. Slim Octavo (12 pp.) One Guinea. A companion volume for Byron in Egypt is Shakespeare's Bedtime in which we profit from .... a lifetime of research ... on the vital question of the time of night at which Shakespeare was wont to go to bed." Cinna wins £3, and John Gore and K. R. Patrick £1 each, with :—

PRIZES (061Na) From Accid and Grounch :

Chequer-board, by Erch Hraffen.

The author, whose studies of post-war Europe are widely known, recently spent eight weeks in Africa. Frankly analysing the present state of race-relations, he reaches -some striking conclusions. While not affording an easy solution, Mr. Hraffen points a way.

Creeping like Snail, by Days Westerbrook.

Once a schoolmistress herself, Miss Westerbrook presents a brilliant study of a private school, its schisms and divided loyalties. A distinguished educationalist has called the book " Arresting."

Rub-a-dub-dub, by Ingle Plevin.

The first-hand account of an amazing voyage made by three men in a tub. As the sole survivor, Ingle Plevin had a unique opportunity of describing this modern Odyssey.

My Life in Soccer, by Alf Battersby.

The autobiography of the greatest full-back of them all. International Joe Groggins has said of it, " Top-score and no penalties."

Life with Baby, by Sam Schublaker. The funniest book of the year. After his wife left him, Mr. Schublaker brought up his infant daughter single-handed. Over half-a-million copies sold in the U.S.

Lolita, by Prudence Hart.

The book of the film. Passion and understanding are mingled in this study of a faithless woman and the man who loved her. Miss Hart is a new writer. This book will set her high."—John Fortune, Evening Gazette.'

(Jowl Gm) The House of Allsgrist

Dorset : The Changing Pattern of Rural Crime, by Peter Dimple.

Sixth in our series Juvenile Delinquents of the English Counties. " Mr. Dimple reclaimed young criminals in Dorset hamlets with a bird- watching club.

Light Fingers, by Mrs. Florence Coote.

Known to countless pupils as Elsta Kramps, her autobiography sparkles with intimate stories of the celebrities' children she met during fifty years' piano-teaching in Hampstead.

By Many Firesides, by Waverley Stickles.

Waverley Stickles toured this island visiting its people in their homes. His warmly human diary depicts English men and women as they really are.

10th reprint sold out before publication ! ! !

" He's done it again "—Wigtownshire Intelligencer.

All This I Have Seen, Memoirs of Arch-Duchess Chloe of Hepburg.

" A King in each ante-chamber ! I tossed a sovereign to decide."

" Witty, " gay," " provocative," " sophisticated, " daring," " subtle, "vivid," " brilliant," " rewarding and fascinating."—The Press.

The Caviare Plot, by Retcher Beeding.

" Lord Francis," said the Prime Minister, " I need ybur assistance." A thriller with a difference. A gripping tale of an atomic spy-hunt through the underworld of Venice. Continually rising tension. "I could not put it down."—Ex-Lord Chancellor.

" I sat up all night."—Bishop of Paddington.

(K. R. PATRICK) A " must " for all Art Lovers : Bilgo's The Symbolism of the Post Intuitive Inhibitionists. The author is well known in Art Circles as the leader of The Tooting Broadway coterie, whilst the general public *ill remember him as the painter of the picture which was accidentally hung at last year's Academy with its face to the wall. The Art Critic says : " Bilgo is, as always, powerful and pungent .' ." whilst the R.A. Gazette writes " Bilgo is punk." 746 pp. -I- 3 illus. Imperial 4to. 42s.

A new book in our popular Fireside Science Series by that well known authority, Prof. A. L. L. Blow, D.Sc. (Brighton), B.S.T. (Double), &c., Atoms for the Layman. A simple, but exhaustive little book on wave mechanics, nuclear statistics, &c., written in non-mathematical language and assuming no previous knowledge. A grateful reader writes : " On the strength of this book, I was able to secure a post as a receptionist at Harwell . . ." 26 pp. -I- 8 plates in full colour. Crown 8vo. 7s. 6d. An ideal book for a Christmas Present ! Adam Moron's latest thriller : The Blood and,Guts Murder Mystery. " Gripped me like a rubber corset " (The Daily Mimic). "Moron is no mean artist " (The New Station Literary Supplement).