The effect of the curtailed train-service throughout the country is already
observable. On certain sections of one of our Southern lines there are no
trains running except those which started prior to January 1st.
***
The new Treasury Notes, we are told, are to have a picture of the House of
Commons on the back. It is hoped that other places of amusement, such as
the Crystal Palace and the Imperial Institute, will be represented on
subsequent issues.
***
It is announced from Germany that arrangements have been made whereby
criminals are to be enrolled in the army. They have, of course, already
conducted many of its operations.
***
According to _The Daily Chronicle_ there are only twenty-three full
Generals in the British Army--a total identical with that of the late
Cabinet. It is only fair to the army to state that the number is purely a
coincidence.
***
"THE RISE IN BOOT PRICES
WOMEN'S LARGE PURCHASES."
The above headlines in a contemporary have caused a good deal of natural
jealousy among members of the Force.
***
"At them and through them!" says the _Hamburger Fremdenblatt_ in a
seasonable message to the commander of the Turkish Navy. This will not
deceive the Turk, who is beginning to realise that, while the invitation to
go _at_ the enemy is sincere, any opportunities of "going _through_" him
will be exclusively grasped by his Teutonic ally.
***
Prince BUELOW has again arrived in Switzerland. It is these bold and
dramatic strokes that lift the German diplomat above the ranks of the
commonplace.
***
It is explained by a railway official that a passenger who pays threepence
for a ticket to-day is really only giving the company twopence, the rest
being water, owing to the decline in the purchasing power of money. A
movement is now on foot among some of the regular passengers to endeavour
to persuade the companies to consent to take their fares neat for the
future.
***
At his Coronation the Emperor KARL OF AUSTRIA waved the sword of ST.
STEPHEN towards the four corners of the earth, to indicate his intention to
protect his empire against all its foes. The incident has been receiving
the earnest consideration of the KAISER, who has now finally decided that
in the circumstances it is not necessary to regard it as an unfriendly act.
***
It was felt that the ceremonies connected with the Coronation ought to be
curtailed out of regard for the sufferings due to the War. So they
dispensed with the customary distribution of bread to the poor.
***
Lecturing to a juvenile audience Professor ARTHUR KEITH said that there was
no difference between detectives and scientists, and some of the older boys
are still wondering whether he was trying to popularise science or to
discredit detective stories.
***
Germans cannot now obtain footwear, it is reported, without a permit card.
Nevertheless we know a number of them who are assured of getting the boot
without any troublesome formalities.
***
Burglars have stolen eighteen ducks from the estate of BETHMANN-HOLLWEG. It
will be interesting to note how their defence--that "Necessity knows no
law"--is received by the distinguished advocate of the invasion of Belgium.
***
"Taxicab drivers must expect a very low standard of intoxication to apply
to them," said the Lambeth magistrate last week. On the other hand the
police should be careful not to misinterpret the air of light-hearted
devilry that endeared the "growler" to the hearts of an older generation.
***
It is stated that £2,250,000 has been sent by Germany into Switzerland to
raise the exchanges. A much larger sum, according to Mr. PUTNAM, was sent
into the United States merely to raise the wind.
***
Referring to the Highland regiments a _Globe_ writer says, "The streets of
London will reel with the music of the pipes when they come back." This is
one of those obstacles to peace that has been overlooked by the KAISER.
* * * * *
[Illustration: PRIVATE SLOGGER, JUST ARRIVED WITH LAST DRAFT AND ON GUARD
DUTY FOR FIRST TIME, FORGETS HIMSELF WHEN THE COLONEL APPEARS ACCOMPANIED
BY HIS DAUGHTER.]
* * * * *