Says The Times:—"It used to be a tradition of British Liberal statesmanship to support, without prospect of immediate advantage, the cause of nationality and freedom abroad.... It would at least be showing some interest to send a minister to Durazzo." Here, perhaps, is a post for poor Mr. Masterman.
The Kerry News states that it prefers pigs to Englishmen. This seems a queer—almost an ungracious—way of expressing its desire for a Home Rule Government.
Oil has been discovered in Somaliland, and it is rumoured that the Government is at last about to realise that its obligations to our friendlies demand a forward move against the Mullah.
Futurism is apparently spreading to the animal world. The following advertisement appeared in a recent issue of Lloyd's:—
"Dyer—Fancy Color Dyer for Ostrich required."
There is a dispute, we see, as to who invented Revues. But, even if the responsibility be fixed, the guilty party, we have no doubt, will go scot-free.
The inhabitants of Bugsworth in Derbyshire, are, The Mail tells us, dissatisfied with the name of their village. A former parish councillor has suggested that it shall be changed to Buxworth, on the ground that it was once a great hunting centre, and took its name from the buck, which used to be found in great numbers there. The present name has also a distinct suggestion of the chase about it.
Extract, from a speech by Colonel Seely on the recent Army crisis:—"The only difference is that I am £5,000 a year poorer.... I am not less Liberal but more Liberal after what has happened." To be more liberal after suffering financially does the ex-War Minister credit.
The fees charged by beauty doctors are tending to become more exorbitant than ever. To have his eyes darkened, Mr. George Mitchell, of Bolton, had to pay M. Carpentier, of Paris, no less than £100.
Old horse tramway-cars are being offered by the London County Council for sale at from £3 to £5 each. They are suitable for transformation into bungalows, tool-sheds, sanatoria and the like.
Last week, at Bristol, eleven brothers named Hunt, of Pucklechurch, played a football match against a team composed of the Miller family, of Brislington. We are always pleased to see these practical object-lessons in the advantage of having large families—a custom which is in danger of falling into desuetude.
"The Liberal Party, the Tory Party, and the House of Lords are nothing against the united intelligence of democracy," said Mr. Ramsay MacDonald at a meeting to celebrate the "coming of age" of the Independent Labour Party. We are of the opinion that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald should know better than to impose upon youth like that. Maxima debetur pueris reverentia.
According to The Evening News' critique of the exhibition of the International Society:—"Two statues by Rodin dominate the gallery. One, 'Benediction,' is in his early manner, but by Lord Howard de Walden." We suspect that there was division of labour here. Rodin sculped it (in his early manner) and Lord Howard de Walden said, "Bless you" (probably in his later manner).
New York Suffragettes have been discussing the question, "Ought women to propose?" and one of them has stated, "I am seriously thinking of proposing to a man"—and now, we suspect, she is wondering why her male acquaintances are shy about stopping to talk to her. We ought to add that her name, as reported, is Miss Bonnie Ginger.
We hear that, as a result of a contemporary drawing attention to Chicago's leniency towards women murderers, ladies whose hobby is homicide are now flocking to that city and it is becoming uncomfortably overcrowded.
"Frau Krupp von Bohlen," we are told, "is the largest payer of war tax in Germany. Her contribution amounts to £440,000." We have a sort of idea, however, that she gets some of this back.
"Sir John Collie ridiculed the present system by which 22,000 doctors depend for an income on their capacity to please their parents."—Labour Leader.
And not only doctors. The Temple is full of people in the same ridiculous position.
The Younger Brother (in an awestruck whisper). "Say, 'Orace, are you sure we're right for the gallery? There's a gent behind wiv spats on!"
"Mathilde explained (her name, of course, was Mathilde really but peasants in Normandy, and for that matter all over France, are curiously inaccurate with names, and often misplace letters in this manner)."
"Evening News" Feuilleton.
The printer of the above must be careful when he crosses the Channel, or he may pick up this bad habit.
"Tonight and tomorrow they will play a matched game of 1,500 points—750 each night. A local billiard enthusiast has offered $100 to either of the players who scores a 00 break or better. This to the average billiard player seems a tremendous break."
Vancouver Daily Paper.
But not to us.
