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7, AUDLEY SQUARE , W. l.

DICTATED

the House of Commons on the abdication question, looking more than ever
like a typical Sussex squire and/or the Chairman of the most prosperous
brewery in Britain. He arrived from South Africa, and he too was
greatly impressed by the speed and completeness with which Ministers
grasped the issues as and when they arose. It is evident that a first-
class system of consultation has been evolved, no doubt through the
increased efficiency and importance of the Crovm Commissioners in London .
It is evident that the South African Government took immense
trouble in the matter, and he (Courthope) was impressed by their sane
outlook, and in particular by the richness of Smuts's resource. Most
amusing of all, most significant too, were his conversations with the
South African Republicans. They were terrified that the crisis would
really become overwhelming, in which case their Republicanism would
have become a living issue - the last thing in the world they want,
as they are most anxious that it should remain an academic problem.

In liquidating our crisis we have had two anodyne events,
two distractions which have switched our anxieties towards lighter affairs -
firstly a test-match in which Hammond is a hero. His name
appears on the newspaper posters as prominently as did that of Mrs.
Simpson a week ago. He must be a splendid fellow - English, I expect,
and probably a batsman: and I believe that the matches take place in
Australia. Anyhow, London is enthusiastic, and Hammond's prowess has
proved essential to English happiness and meditation throughout some