15 JANUARY 1954, page 23

Sartorial Folly

Muffs and Morals. By Pearl Binder. (Harrap. 15s.) SUMPTUARY laws may be a thing of the past for most countries, but trouble about bikinis crops up somewhere every year;......

Bird Of Paradox

THE character of Metternich was composed of contradictions, a superb and living paradox: in some ways a perfect character for a statesman. Metternich was frank and secretive,......

Undeclared Wars

Survey of International Affairs, 1938. Vol. III. By R. D. G. Laffan and Others. (O.U.P. for R.I.I.A. 55s.) The Undeclared, War, 1940-1941. By William L. Langer and S. Everett......