A Discussion between
Mr. Beverley Nichols and Mr. Compton Mackenzie
'There is nothing good to be had in the country, or, if there be, they will not let you have it'
Hazlitt on Wordsworth's 'Excursion'

Anyone who is familiar with Mr. Mackenzie's novels will know how well equipped he is to take up the cudgels on behalf of the countryside in this debate: one need only remind listeners, for instance, of Mr. Grey, in 'Guy and Pauline,' who was so fond of his garden, and of the wide knowledge shown of butterflies in 'Sinister Street.' As for Mr. Nichols' ability to defend the merits of the town against Mr. Mackenzie's onslaughts, one has only to recall his first book, 'Twenty-Five,' to realize that he will not be at any loss. Another thing of which one can be sure is that the sparks will fly when two such doughty opponents cross swords. Nor, we suspect, need either of them be taken too seriously; for, in these days, it is fortunately possible for quite a large percentage of us to enjoy, in this matter, the best of both worlds.