3 JANUARY 1947, Page 8

figure. One incident is sufficiently•revealing. Here is Chamberlain's own diary

record of a Cabinet meeting in 1925:

"I had noticed-once or twice that S.B. didn't seem to be attend- ing to me, and presently he passed an open note across the table to Winston, who was sitting beside me. On the note was written MATCHES

Lent at 10.30 a.m.

Returned?

This triviality, while a very grave question was being discussed 'c, under S.B.'s chairmanship, made the most deplorable impression on me."

It undoubtedly would—deplorable in the last degree.