6 JANUARY 1939, Page 10

In a friendly letter in another column the Editors of

Who's Who suggest that what they call a more drastic rationalising, and what I should call (with great respect) a more rational editing of that indispensable volume " would diminish to vanishing point the humanity and vivacity for which the volume is commonly said to be remarkable among works of reference." With still greater respect I disagree. It would; not reduce humanity or vivacity by an iota ; I would not cut a syllable, for example, of the varied recreations of the Sitwell family ; it would only reduce tiresome self-advertisement.

Would that really not be more gain than loss ? * * * *