IN HIGH SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 160, 1 April 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

IN HIGH SOCIETY

“Not Worth Reading,” by Sir George Arthur (London: Longmans).

Whether the reader considers there to be any truth in the title of Sir George Arthur's reminiscences will depend largely upon the degree of his liking for their subject matter. Sir George was born into and lias lived his life in the highest 'Stratum of English society. He has been the friend of princes, the confidant of great men, and generally has made good use of the silver spoon which he found in his mouth at birth. The characteristics attributed to him as a young man in the text, accompanying one of Spy’s famous cartoons tn “Vanity Fair” have, on the whole, remained applicable throughout his long life: He has been much petted by society, and he is a great admirer ot beauty on a largo scale. . . . Ho has dabbled a little in horse racing, and in the Italian opera: but he is nevertheless conspicuous tor extreme refinement, sincere morality, and deep religions sentiment. By Dae support which lie has constantly given to tlie Tecks and other distinguished persons. he has demonstrated that a loyal admiration for Royalties and Serenities is not at all incompatible with intense self-respect and an honest appreciation of one’s own dignity. ... He is altogether an immense success, and he is too clever not to be modestly conscious of the fact.

As an officer in a fashionable regiment, the Second Life Guards, Sir George Arthur came into contact with many notable military leaders. He had opportunities for observing them given to few others, and what lie has to say of Lord Kitchener, whose personal private secretary lie was (luring the Great War, is well worth reading. He has already written a biography of Kitchener, but one can say with Field-Marshal Lord Birtlwood, who contributes a foreword to this book: “If this volume does nothing else —and it may prove far from utitiseful—it will have largely achieved the writer’s purpose if it serves—as I believe it. will —to remind post-War generations of the worth and work of the man who must stand itnperishably as the dominant figure of a mighty struggle.”