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 L5,000 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 L100.
* * *
Old horse tramway-cars are being offered by the London County Council for
sale at from L3 to L5 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 L440,000." We have a sort of idea,
however, that she gets some of this back.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _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!"]
* * * * *
"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.
* * * * *
"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.
* * * * *