4 JANUARY 1952, Page 22

Notes on an Author

SIR,—Janus writes that the true metier of the late Hilary St. George Saunders was writing popular histories of the war. If this means that the co-author of The Seven Sleepers and The Six Proud Walkers was out of his element, I advise Janus to acquaint himself with these works forthwith. He may then realise that, although the passing of Mr. Saunders was a great misfortune, there have been and will be other war historians. But if there is another Francis Beeding around he ig\taking his time about introducing himself.—Yours faithfully, LANCELOT.

[Janus writes: I had known Hilary Saunders for more than 30 years, and Francis Beeding presented me with more than one of his books.]