6 JUNE 1952, Page 4

The talented authoress of Forever Amber (which I may read

some day) has recovered some £9,000, or its equivalent in dollars, from the income-tax authorities in America on the ground that she is not a professional writer; she just writes because she likes it. I find in this an encouraging proof that the times are not as black as they are painted. Moreover I am personally affected. I not only like writing, I have a passion for it. British income-tax authorities can hardly fall short of the principles now imposed on American. It would upset one of my contemporaries terribly to feel that there was anything better done in America than here.

* -*