27 JUNE 1952, Page 5

Some years ago a slightly eccentric friend of mine, shortly

after joining one of the big firms in Burma, was sent up country on a long tour in company with a senior member of the firm whom he did not much like. The old hand changed into a dinner jacket every night in camp; my friend, who did not, earned silent disapproval. At last they reached the most remote of all the places they had to visit. On that night, and that night only, my friend emerged from his tent at dinner time in a tail coat and a white tie. I forget whether he wore a top hat, but I expect he did; he was rather a methodical person. *