30 JANUARY 1953, Page 5

In reading that most delightful work " Period Piece "

I note that the writer, Mrs. Raverat, quotes the well-known mot of Thompson, the Master of Trinity : " The time that Mr. X can spare from the adornment of his person he devotes to the neglect of his duties " as referring to her uncle, Sir Richard Jebb. She should know, and no doubt she is right. But the story ha,s been told, I fancy, about a good many other