Lord Ponsonby has been over-modest in his expressed doubt whether
a collection of what he terms ephemeral and fleeting comments," Casual Observations (George Allen and Unwin, 6s.), most of which first appeared in various daily and weekly publications, were worthy of book form. There is, on the contrary, no reason why they need be east aside as ephemeral, for they contain a good deal of keen observation and wise deduction, often humorous, from many people and things. There are also several very good stories in this little volume, notably one or two about the author's early experiences in the Diplomatic Service. Lord Ponsonby advocates contradiction as a potent stimulus in salesmanship and in Government ; on the principle that if you tell anyone a certain thing is unsuitable to hint and that something else would be better, he will persistently desire what he thinks is a forbidden fruit.
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