Dearest Love

'4 newspaper recently referred inadvertently to a 'five-point increase in the cost of loving.' 4ssurning that a Cost-of-Loving Index is actually kept by a Ministry for Matrimonial and Allied Affaires, competitors were asked for A comment by : The Ministry's Press °fficer, the Financial Times, Time, the Daily Worker, the Tailor and Cutter, or Pharos.

TIME'S unique vocabulary and the Financial Times's businesslike approach made them the most popular targets, and Inspired most of the best shots. Nearly everyone took the news gloomily—though the Press Officer was obviously whistling 10 keep up his spirits. The few remedies Proposed included A. W. Dicker's attempt 1,0 check inflation by popularising 'National l'"e Tokens, beautifully printed in (1.0lour, depicting Cupids flying over White- Ian,' on sale at all post offices, as sub- stitutes for expensive gifts. There was no difficulty in choosing the 'our prize-winners, all of whom excellently captured the style and approach of their 3„Thjects. I recommend a first prize of £2 to G. Hall, and £1 each to William Camp, , Hodgson and Xico.

PRIZES (F. G. HALL) FINANCIAL TIMES

The Ministry of Matrimonial and Allied ;waires announced yesterday morning that the 'enterim index of wooing costs had risen to 156 ,.InPared with 151 a month ago. The rise is toed to be on account of increases in the cost of dates, and of cosmetics with conse- 4oential difficulties in maintaining face values. b A long-term effect of the rise is expected to e a decrease in the number of mergers fol- wed by heightened stag activity despite the POSsibility of considerably less new issues. 'Cinema Backseats (H oldings) Ltd.' eased dur- Ilk the day, but 'Hearts' hardened. There were many takers for any offer of Dutch shares. The ,Pi neral Opinion seemed to be 'Courting?— 'aster!'

(WILLIAM CAMP) TIME

Last week to the masses of Britain's down- redden lovers came news of another blow. Grimly announced by the Ministry of Matri- monial and Allied Affaires, a five-point climb in the Cost-of-Loving Index. By week's end Premier Eden faced a rising tide of indignation. In the strident clamor of lovers from haut monde and demi-monde he soon detected a disturbing similarity. Unlike the heroes of Victorian poet Tennyson's (1809-92) famed ode, one and all demanded to know the reason why. With more-than-usual British alacrity, Eden acted. He called the Cabinet, named a three-man commission to investigate, then tired MMAA Minister Sir Dominic Savile. Snapped balding Etonian Savile : 'Good gracious, what do they expect? It's simply a case of too many men chasing too many women.

(N. HODGSON).

FINANCIAL TIMES

The five-point rise in the cost of loving is. of course, the price we pay for the squeeze. In these circumstances, the prudent citizen, fear- ful for his or her security, will neither make nor accept proposals for a merger or combine. These associations, beginning with a simple partnership, have a tendency to enlarge them- selves. So long as it is merely a question of a holding company, no harm is done. But the suggestion of a ring will inevitably arise, with consequences, small at first, but rapidly developing into unlimited liabilities.

Two results of the rise are immediately apparent. The Government is issuing fewer licences, and there is a slump in the gilt-edged market, due to reduced demand for expensive- looking presents. A word, then, of caution. Billing and cooing are all very well, but with present market trends, the bills are likely to mount 'till the coos come home.'

(xtco)

' TIME The girl who makes herself cheap may soon be the toast of the town. Though a nation-wide pinch has still to be felt, to harassed, debt- ridden swains in most American cities MMAA's disclosure that the cost-of-loving index is up five points came as no thunder- bolt. But one dissentient voice is that of Delassouri State University's Leroy Brubank.* Polling fellow-alumni last fall (Time, Octo- ber 17), Brubank proved that evening TV shows were slashing freshman and sophomore expenses on most college dates. Last week Brubank claimed the situation had further cased, and not only at Delassouri State. Of 200 collegiate interviewees at Louisola Tech. 187 admitted to being out of the red this semester on all movie, dance and ball-game outings.

One weakness in Brubank's findings—love doesn't end on the campus.

* No relation to the one-time gridiron star.

SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. 303 Set by J. A. R. Pimlott A prize of f5 is offered for an English translation of the following verses from a carol by Jean Daniel :

C'est wig tras grant mystare Qu'ung roy de si hault pris View naitre en lieu austere, En si nieschant pourprls : Le Roy de sous les bons espritz. C'est Jesus nostre frere, Le Roy de tous les bons espritz, Duquel sommes apts.

Saluons le doulx lisuchrist, Nostre Dieu, nostre frere, Saluons le doulx Jesuchrist, Chantons Noel d'esprit.

En luy faisant priare, Soyons de son party, Qu'en sa haulte emperiere Ayons lieu de party; Comme it nous a droict apparty, Jesus nostre bon frare, Comme ii nous a droict apparty Au celeste coney.

Saluons, etc. Amen. Noel.

Entries, addressed 'Spectator Competition No. 303,' 99 Gower Street, London, WC1, must be received by December 13. ReSults in the Spectator of December 23.