LITERARY GOSSIP.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19942, 31 May 1930, Page 13

LITERARY GOSSIP.

I Harold Nicolson's "livd Camoek: -A Study, in. the Old Diplomacy," <soritain» a memorable picture of the pArdojmlities at the Algeciras Conference. "Arthur Nicolson" was Sir Arthur, Harold Ificolson's father, who became Lord - Carnock 011 retiring from the Foreign Office In 1916: *

White hunched figures against the r&i walls or under the hard electric globus. The presidential chair occupied by the Duke fit Almadovar- —an Arabian face, flashing Arabian eyes, challenging bqt empty—retreating when in difficulty behind the barrier of breeding ; becoming: grandee . . . Herr voh sado« wits, the first German delegate, gsntly arrogant, menacingly gentle . . . Count Tattenbach, the second delegate, a sergeantmajor in face and voice, waves of DeuteehNational anger flushing the scalp under hit upright stubble hair. Mr Henry 'White, tli« United States representative, coAcHiafory, ignorant, and charming; Mr White was so full of charm that there wag rpora .for little else. M. Revoil, first delegate of prance, smiling always, smiling at the- brilliance el the epigrams which he not tnalce,. smiling admirably at all the Smaller Powers . . . Arthur Mcolson was sole representative of the British Empire. Already bent with rheumatism and. arthritis, he w6t114 btad £ven lower over his. papers. A shy person, one would say, a small frail figure with * finely shaped 1 forehead. Diffident,' *ppafc»»tly, and engagingly honest. ' Suddenly be . would raise Us blue and piercing eyes —from his papers. In fluent o|Sdrd ftepch Ihe would state hU case: fact upon 'fact: moderately, calmly, and with an authoritative certainty which hashed all interruptions.

Mr Bruce' L. Bichmond, editor of "The Times literary Supplement," v'u given an honorary degree of D.Lfyt. itf Oxford University on March 11th, {ast. The Public Orator ended J>is speech with these words:—"Since he has beea the encourager, comrade, and leader of young students, since he has spirted abroad through all classes the love of reading and hearing the best, I present to you as an. example of true culture Bruce Lyttelton Richmond, M.A., to be admitted to the-honorary degree of Doctor of Letters."

The Swiss Bundegrath (Federal' Council) has agreed to take ovejr au Carl Spittler's literacy remajps, ana has appointed a Commission to prepare a complete national edition of his works, including some unpublished material. £ detailed biography is also to be issued, presumably that on whieh Professor Frankel, of Bern University, has been engaged for years. One of the chief lake promenades in Lucerne has been named the Carl Spittler Quai; and a monument ia to be erected at his birthplace—near Basel.

"The worst thing that can be avid against laughter," says Mr Robert Lynd in an article on "Objections to Lajjgbtcr" "is that, by putting us in & good humour, it enables us to tolerate ourselves. The best thing that can- be said for it is that for the same reason it enables us to tolerate each other."