Abergavenny Chronicle

d_ CiJR LONDON LETTER. I i, ( i? [From. Spcial Gorr,dent.] I i Mr. Balfqur Ilh-as Felclom been in better form than in-fhis p(iloech at the Mansion House celebration of the anniversary of America's entry into the war. To him was entrusted the toast of "The Day We Cele- brate," and it couid not have been in better Zecretar y since his hands. The Foroign Secretary, since his visit to the United States last year, has been with Americans cue of the most popular of the Allied statesmen, and the warmth of hia references to President Wilson and the great ideals for which he and the American nation stand, must tend to strengthen the bonds between ourselves and the United States. Particularly well-phrased was Mr. Balfour's reference to the decision of the American Government to allow their troops to be brigaded with the British and French. He saw striking proof of devotion to the I common cause and clear insight into the magnitude of the military struggle in the feahsation by our American Allies that in this way their soldiers could do better ser- vice than by waiting to fight in the first in- stance in an American Army. To measure what the American decision meant, said Mr. Balfour, let them ask whether a British Government would, without hesitation or Condition, consent to brig-aa!e British troops with troops under another flag. "I believe We should do it," he said. "I hope we should not fall below our brothers across the Atlantic in the higher patriotism. But it should be understood and realised by the prhole public in this country." The most striking passage in the after- noon's oratory was this, in the speech of the American Ambassador, Dr. Page: "In this hour of supreme test we are hurrying, and we will come with as many millions as are needed-.some, along with you and our French companions-in-arms, so to redden the fields of France that rulers or nations who hereafter meditate conquest will see there the price that free men paid for freedom, and will hesitate and desiol." "As many millions as are needed "-no wonder the Ger- xians are trying to force a decision before America can put forth her full strength. The Curfew Order has made a great dif- ference in the night life of London. "Lights out in restaurants by ten o'clock, and in theatres half an hour later, has upset the habits of quite a lot of people. Their num- ber is not so large as it would have been if such an Order had been issued in the days before the war.. People have been living simpler lives during the past year or two PrQ,m one motivo or another. There are many people who prefer to stay in their own houses o' nights instead of seeking amusement as in days of yore in West-End theatres and restaurants. But in spite of Wal" conditions there has been little notice- able lack of patrons either of the table or the stage, and even in these times of darkened streets the West End has "carried <m" till midnight and past. But that is ended now. After half-past ten theatreland is almost as quiet as the City. In order to comply with the new Order some of the theatres are starting their evening perform- ances earlier, but others, fearing that their patrons may object to hurrying over dinner, are sticking to the old time, and by shortening the intervals between the acts, and other devices, are managing to get the curtain down before the curfew rings-well, IK), it doesn't ring, of course. Something will certainly have to be done to restrict railway travelling, and it does seem as though a system of permits is the only thing that will meet the case. Raising the fares has failed to reduce the number of passengers, and the effect of the rolling- stock shortage is that every carriage is crowded, and frequently the luggage van as well. Any further reduction in the number of trains would simply make things worse. People of leisure would be early at the stations, and those whose time is valuable would never get a seat at all, and often, not even a place in the train, though the book- ing-clerk would have taken their money without a qualm. Apparently there is no law to prevent a railway company from sell- ing a thousand tickets to, say, Brighton, though they have no intention of sending a train that will carry more than six hundred people. Two companies have decided to take action in the matter of the alien air-raid refugees who have found London* bad for their nerves, and have flown to the seaside or the country. They have announced that no more season tickets will be issued to cer- tain towns, and that there will be no re- newal for any less period than six months of tickets already issued. Well, this does net) eeem particularly drastic, at any rate with regard to the people who already have season-tickets and are crowding out of the trains season-ticket holders of long stand- ing. People who can afford to live so far out will not be frightened by a six-monthly season-ticket. It is not money that scares em. Neither is the pressure on railway accom- modation likely to be much relieved by the increased price of season-tickets generally, which is being talked about. Season-ticket rates, says "a prominent railway official," are far too low, and he compares the price with that of- single-journey tickets. He seems to think that when ordinary fares were increased by 50 per cent., season-ticket rates ought to have been put up too. But, of course, the cases are entirely different. The increase in ordinary fares was decided upon in order to reduce the amount of travelling for pleasure. True, it seems to have failed, but that was what was aimed at. Season-tickets are nearly all held by business people and by workers who have to make the same journey every day. What- ever happens they must continue to travel, and therefore to make them pay more will not .make more room in the trains. As for the season-ticket joy-riders, of whom there are a few. they will probably pay the in- creased fare quite cheerfully. Any proposal to put up the price of season-tickets will certainly meet with vigorous opposition. Some years ago the Sunday Musical Union gave concerts on Sundays. It will be good lleW9 to music-lovers who may be spending week-ends in London that after being sus- pended for some seasons the concerts have now been resumed. They are given by Sir Henry Wood's orchestra at the Queen's Hall, the afternoon's programme being re- peated in the evening. The first concerts of the series consisted entirely of familiar items, well-tried favourites. Miss Carmen Hill sang very charmingly, and, Mr. de Greef gave an admirable performance of the I Grieg Piano Concerto. A. E. M. j

ORDER OF THE NILE. I Among the decorations conferred by the Sultan of Egypt are the following: Order of the Nile (First Class), Sir Edmund Allenby; Second Class, Sir William Birdwood; Fourth Class, Captain the Marquis of Carisbrooke and Captain the Marquis of Anglesey. I

Two teams of interned British officers and soldiers played an exhibition Rugby football match the other day at the Amsterdam Stadium, which was crowded with apprecia- tive spectators. The American Senate has adopted an amendment to the Draft Law requiring the registration of young men reaching twenty- one since last June, by whicb 700?0 Dames .Will be added to the roll, V

—— ——- S C-H E M E OPERATING THROUGHOUT GREAT BRITAIN. Great Britain came as a whole on Sunday tinder the scope of the Meat Rationing Order, which has operated hitherto in Lon- don and the Home Counties. In a few dis- tricts there may be a short delay, but, generally speaking, meat, whether bought cooked; in restaurants or uncooked in shops, will have to be paid for with coupons as well as with money. Each coupon authorises the expenditure of 5d., and three of the four coupons per week may be used in the purchase of butchers' meat. The fourth is for bacon, poultry, corned beef, rabbits, etc. The three coupons which are allowed for butchers' meat may be used for bacon and other miscellaneous meats instead; but in no case must the allowance of three coupons for butchers' meat be exceeded. On May 5, in London and the Home Counties at any rate, the butchers' meat coupons are to be reduced to two, another bacon coupon being substituted, in order that meat-eaters, may help to conserve the supply of cattle by eating more bacon, of which ample supplies are said to be avail- able. At the same time, boys between the ages of thirteen and eighteen (but not girls) will become entitled to an extra allowance of 5oz. of bacon with bone, or of meat which does not came under the heading of butchers' meat. Persons engaged, upon heavy manual work will be entitled shortly to an extra ration, and large numbers of application forms from men and women in various kinds of employments have been issued. These appli- cations will be considered separately by the local food committees.

PREMIER'S CALL TO INDIA. I The Prime Minister has sent the following telegram to the Viceroy of India: — "At this time, when the intention of the rulers of Germany to establish a tyranny not only over all Europe, but over Asia as well, has become transparently clear, I wish to ask the Government and people of India to redouble their efforts. Thanks to the heroic efforts of the British armies, assisted by their Allies, the attempt of the enemy in the West is being checked; but if we are to prevent the menace spreading to the East, and gradually enguliing the world, every lover of freedom and law must play his part. "T have no doubt that India will add to the laurels it has already won, and will equip itself on an even greater scale than at present, to be the. bulwark which will save Asia from the tide of oppression and dis- order which it is the object of the enemy to achieve." The Viceroy, in reply, telegraphs: "Your trumpet call at this crisis will not fall upop deaf ears."

THE PRICE OF VICTORY. I In this supreme hour of destiny, said Dr. Macnamara, speaking at Peckham Rye Tabernacle on Sunday, the people of Eng- land must be ready to respond promptly and cheerfully to any demand those in authority might make. "We must face the fact squarely," he de- clared, "that victory, final and conclusive, cannot be won save at a great price. To free the world from the ugly menace in- flicted on it by Germany will be a big task, which will mean greater sacrifices than any yet made."

THACKERAY AND CHARTERHOUSE. I At a City of London inquest on Saturday, on a Charterhouse Brother named Frank William Wilson, it was stated that Thackeray was educated at the school. The Corner: And died there? Mr. H. G. Wright (registrar): No; he died in the West End, but he decided, on hearing the curfew on night, that his great character. OHonel Newcombe, should die there.

DOCTOR'S DEVOTION TO DUTY. I Temporary Captain H. A. Harbison, M.B., R.A.M.C. (Bar to M.C.), was in charge of divisional stretcher-bearers during several days' operations. For seventy-two hours he never slept, and was continually on the move under intense shell fire, estab- lishing connection with the regimental aid posts and leading and directing the bearers. His name appears in a list of awards issued on Sunday as a "London Gazette". supple. ment. ————— —————

KILLED AT HER WORK. I At an inquest in a northern town on Saturday on Dinah Mary Bamber, twenty- one, it appeared the deceased was following her employment when a shell slipped from its double sling and killed her. Over 400,000 shells had been carried in that way without a previous accident. The coroner said she died for her country in an honourable cause, the death being a pure accident. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

DON'T USE TAXICABS. I A renewed appeal for public co-operation in petrol-saving is' made by the Petroleum Executive. The demands of the fighting services for petrol are daily becoming greater, and in order that they may be un- hesitatingly met, the public are asked not to hire motor-cars or use taxicabs when they can walk or avail themselves of public conveyance. —————- .—————

AMERICA'S DETERMINATION. f "If our enemies are right our religion is wrong," said Dr. Fort Newton at the City Temple, London, on Sunday, to commemo- rate the first anniversary of America's entry into the war. "If America was slow to enter, she would be slow to stop, and would not stop until her purpose had been achieved."

) 91 NEW IRISH JUDGE. ?  The Right Hon. James O'Connor, K.C., Attorney-General for Ireland, is appointed a Judge of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice of Ireland, In the room of Sir Dunbar Plunket Barton, Bt., retired.

REVIEW OF EXEMPTIONS. I The Local Government Board has issued the following memorandum to Local and Appeal Tribunals The Minister of National Service has directed the local National Service Repre- sentatives to apply, except as regards cases which have been before the tribunals within the last month, for the review of exemp- tions held on occupational grounds by men, other than those employed in essential in- dustries, who are in Grades 1 and 2, or Categories A, Bi, and Ci, or who have not been medically examined. It is scarcely necessary to impress upon tribunals in the present crisis the extreme urgency of deal- lng promptly with all these cases and with any other cases which may be before them, particularly of men in Grade 1 or 2, or Categories A, Bi, or Ci. It requested therefore, that the tribunals will imme- diately take special m'easures to deal with the cases with the utmost dispatch; and, where possible, will dispose of all those out- standing within the next fortnight.

A presentation has been made by Viscount Middleton on behalf of the travelling public to Mr. Sumpster, station master at Guild- ford for twenty-one years, Mr. Sumpster has been fifty-one years in the service of the L. and S.W. Railway. While detained at Scotland Yard, Ernest H. Hammond stole a Z5, note from a young officer, who was under detention in the same cubicle as himself. Hammond was senfenced at Bow-street to twenty-one days' Imprison, meat.

Henry Jones, dairyman, :23, Stoney-lie, London, E.C., was fined £ 50 and < £ 25 <sts at the Guildhall for selling watered rlk. It was stated that from 11 to 35 per cat. of water had been added to some sampk Miss Steele, of Loddington Hall, near ot- tering, a member of the Pytchley, sa iVtwo escaped Germans while exercising her Jrse, followed them, and had them arrestedi

HUMOUR OF THE WEEK. I I HUMOUR WEEK. I I AN EFFECTIVE CUBE. The Tottenham magistrate after making I I several attempts to interrupt a garrulous woman complainant: "You talk a lot. Ii you talk so to your husband- Complainant: Hó won't let me. When I try to he hits me in the jaw. The magistrate smiled. I THE FLIES. "Don't go to more than one solicitor," said Mr. Symmons, the magistrate, to a woman recently. "When the bullock was covered with flies, someone said to him, '.Shall I knock the flies off? No, don't do that,' he said. These flies are nearly full; if you do, a fresh lot of flies will come, more hun, gry than the last. [ THE PRIMROSE PATH. "Prosperity has ruined many a man," said the moraliser. "Well, ruminated the reprobate, "if I was goin' to be ruined, I'd prefer prosperity to do it."—"Kansas City Journal." I n SOME" LANGUAGE. I A woman, compl-aining at Tottenham of bad language used by another woman, said that her dog dropped its ears, put its tail between its legs, and left the room. When a gamekeeper was fined at Dunmow, Essex, for using bad language, a woman said that a horse near her cottage laid back its ears and turned its eyes in great astonish- ment towards Lakin." I WHY SHE CRIED. JThe little girl, recovering from measles rand penumonia (says the Daily News"), had cried unaccountably while the doctor lis- tened with his ear close to her chest. "Why did you cry, dear? asked her mother after- wards; "the doctor wasn't hurting you, was he?" "No, but hm ears were so cold," said the child. f OVERDOING IT. Some people, we hear, are so conscientious about observing meatless days that they even decline, on them, to read either Lamb or Racon. NOT GREEDY. The allotment-holder doesn't expect too much. He is thankful for small "murphies." IN THEIR SLEEP. "They say Boggs is crazy on the subject of golf, and his wife is equally crazy over auction sales." "Yes, and the funny part of it is they both talk in their sleep. The other night a lodger in the next flat heard Boggs shout, Fore! and immediately Mrs. Boggs yelled, 'Four and a quarter!"—"Boston Transcript." QUITE ALL RIGHT. Office boys being scarce,' a certain business man determined to try an office girl, and was interviewing applicants for the job. He eyed rather suspiciously a fair young thing who wore st somewhat flimsy silk blouse and a good deal of cheap jewellery. "I—er—hope you were carefully brought up?" he stammered nervously. "Oh, yes, thank you, sir," replied the damsel, I came up in the lift." WELL BROWNED. It was washing day at the Browns. Mrs. Brown gave her little daughter a towel to hold near the fire to air, then bent over her wash-tub again. Suddenly a little piping voice exclaimed: "Is it done when it's brown, mother?" CHEERY READING. I Really cheery reading is scarce nowadays (says "Cassell's Saturday Journal "). When we want some we read our old butchers' bills. ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I Officer, on rounds, approaching sentry: "Don't you know better than to point an empty gun at people? Sentry (recruit): "But it-it's not empty. sir. It's loaded." BEYOND HOPE. I "Listen to this, Maria," said Mr. Stubb, as he unfolded his scientific paper: "This article states that in some of the old Roman prisons that have been unearthed they found the petrified remains of the prisoners." "Gracious, John," exclaimed Mrs. Stubb in horror, "those are what they call har- dened criminals, I expect."—"New York Globe." PICKINGS FROM "PUNCH" I The Haunted Gallery at Hampton Court was opened to the public last Saturday. The spectre has not yet appeared, and a rumour is going round that there has been a hitch in'respect to its food-card. Now that the speed of express trains is to be reduced it is hoped that passengers will not attempt to pluck cabbages from rail-sido allotments while the train is in motion. A Spaniard, discovered in Paris with a wireless apparatus installed on his roof, in- formed the police that he merely used it to get the correct time from the Eiffel Tower. It is thought that henceforth to may have to do his own time. From a letter received by a subaltern from iiiB tailors;- "We are in receipt of your favour to hand, and beg to state that our charge for turning a British War is approximately 45s." The Chancellor of the Exchequer ought to find out how they do it. Manager (engaging offioe-boy) "Y ou've got to be alive in this firm-quick. alert- we "re all movers here." Boy: "That's me, too. I never stop rnorc'n a month or ttvo in any job." —— —— QUIPS FROM LONDON OPINION. I Stockings are to be striped this spring. 'When skirts were worn shorter, stockings I were, of course, always spotted. At Fife, the Women's Committee for the increased production of food are forming a goat club. Goats always are good butters. A ploughman mentioned by Mr. Prothero was a hairdresser three years ago. We know other barbers who would be more at home with any agricultural instrument than with a razor The twenty-foot python at the Zoo has not tasted food for four months. This is, in both senses, a long fast. It is regarded as a shame that they should be killing decent bulldogs and terriers as Zoo food, when there are so many Pacifists about. The desire, of course, is to make the Zoo logical. The old beer had no body, the new beer of April 1st has no head, and altogether the nationals beverage hasn't a leg to stand upon. Beer drinkers regard the situation as simply pewterifying. "Officers' clubs have sprung up with now and then a band to play in tEe soup. "Daily Sketch." A practice that can do no good to either the soup or the uniforms.

Mixed bathing at Lambeth Batha now costs Is. W. Parsons, the famous Newport Rugby footballer, has died. The American Red Cross has made a gift of Y,250,000 to the British Red Cross. A communal kitchen at Berwick has been closed, owing to lack of support, after one month's existence.

I OTHER MEN'S MINDS. He who first says "Let us make Peace," is the man who'-e faith and philosophy have failed.-LOltD LEVERHTJLME. DON'T "GROUSE." Too many letters have been pent to our soldiers in the fighting line complaining of the rations.—BISHOP OF LONDON. — f A NEW HOLY LAND. Of recent years America has come to con- sider itself a holy land with a world's pur- pose of peace and democracy.-Mn. ISRAEL ZANGWILL. UNITED. I There are no longer English and French; there is only one single Army fighting in complete and intimate union ,-LIEUT.- COLONEL ROU^SET. SECOND THOUGHTS. I If I were ever responsible again fdr the Government, I would decline to ask for a war indemnity.—DR. MICHAELIS. German ex-Chancellor. WHd IS RESPONSIBLE? I We have a right to know who is respon- sible for circumstances that compelled our incomparable soldiers in six days to give ground that took nearly two years of super- human effort and frightful casraMy lists to Win.-Sip. HAMAR GREENWOOD, M.P. I THE RUSSIAN SAMSON. I Remember, and let the Germans remem- ber, that Russia, however pitiable her pre- sent condition, is and remains a Great Power, and that the Great Slav giant, now blind and turning the mill at Gaza, may yet make the whole proud structure of Ger- man Imperialism topple down in ruin and confusion.—GENERAL SMUTS. I THE SURE SI-IIELV. I We could place round about our splendid men, who have fought as never 'men fought in the world's history before, the barrier and protection, of our intercession (to Almighty God.—REV. W. P. BEBLY. I THE CALL FOR PATIENCE. I For us the call for patience--to avoid the I cheap notion that the Kingdom of God will come soon—is not less insistent than the I call to courage.—ARCHDEACON PEARCE. I I IMPOSSIBLE. I It is impossible that to the band red with the blood of so many victims should be en- trusted with domination of the world.— BISHOP OF LONDON. I THE PREPARATION. I Heaven will not be brought about by a new franchise, by political Utopias, by re-4 form of education, or by redistribution of wealth, not even though the Hun were overthrown in his bid for world hegemony. This world is but the preparation for another world, and Death leads to the larger life.—DEAN OF WESTMINSTER. I THE HOPE OF LIBERTY. I Only one thing can prevent the triumph of militarism over liberty, and that is the endurance of our troops.—DR. ADDISON, M.P. I THE WAR-WINNERS. I This great offensive cannot succeed. It can go on week after week till human endurance is exhausted, but we will not be beaten. Germany cannot win this war. Nobody can win this war in the field. The only people who can win the war are the united demo- crats of Europe laying their heada together: —MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD, M.P. THE GERMAN JEWS. I If there is any criticism in Germany of I the German nation it comes from German I Jews, who have roundly condemned mili- I tari.sm.-MR. ISRAEL ZANGWILL. DYING LANGUAGES REVIVAL. It is interesting that in our day there is a revival of languages which were either dead or dying, such as the Welsh and Irish tongues, which shows that our time is not so materialistic and utilitarian as is some- times SUppo"MR. HERBERT SAMUEL, M.P. AFTER-WAR WORK. No better means for the utilisation of spare labour after the war could be found than in setting builders to work on the erection of houses.—ALDERMAN BANTON. A VITAL PROBLEM. Whilst we recognise the grave, situation on the Western Front, I hope the public, and especially the Government, will not be driven into the unfortunate policy of failing to recognise that after all the future of this country depends upon shipping. It would be a calamity not to understand that the problem of our food supply and transport is as vital as anything which has arisen on the Western Front.MR. J. H. THOMAS, M.P. MORE MARRIAGES THAN HOUSES. During the past four years there have been over a million marriages in England and Wales in excess of the number of houses erected.—COUNCILLOR T. MY-EKS. THE MEN IN THE SHIPYARDS. I am confident that the men in the ship- yards will feel that their duty is every bit as much to overtake the rate of sinkings as the duty of the Allied Navies is to bring sinkings down below the rate of production -SIR ERIC GEDDES. I TOO MUCH BUREAUCRACY. The fact is that we are having too much bureaucratic interference. The Government is regulating and controlling a good many businesses out of existence ,-MR. MCKINNON WOOD, M.P. I GROW FOOD. We have to face the fact that, in the matter of its food supply, the position of our country is critical; and it is the clear duty of everyone to devote all the time that he can possibly spare to the work which will make it secure.SIR AUCKLAND GEDDES. THE HOME FRONT. T I The home front in the soul of the nations of the British Empire stands just as sure and unbreakable as the battle front of their Armies in France. For us .everything is at stake in this war, and therefore we shall bear every sacrifice willingly and cheerfully to the very end. May that end mean peace with honour, a lasting, fruitful peace for the sorely tried nations of the world.— GENERAL SMUTS.

,A separate Farmers' Union for Wales is being established. Ireland's fruit crop promises to be the heaviest for years. Owing to pressure of work Mr. Robert Donald has resigned his position as Director of Propaganda in Neutral Countries under the Ministry of Information, but will con- tinue, in an advisory capacity, a member of the Administrative Board and will super- vise certain branches of work. «

OUR CHILDREN'S CORNER I BY UNCLE RALPH. I THE RABBITS. Three little rabbits sat eating their lunch, Nibble-ty, nibble-ty, nib; Vith their heads all together, oh, how they » did munch Nibble-ty, nibble-ty, nib. They nibbled so fast and they nibbleid so quick, That though the fat turnip was certainly thick, They polished it off before you'd say "Tie& Scrunchety, scrunchety, scrunch! GRANDF ATHER. He used to tell such wonderful stories, did Grandfather. Joseph always wanted them to be about robbers or wild Indians, and Margaret used to ask him if he would bring fairies into the stories, and Toby said he didn't like any stories that were not quite true, every bit of them. So, you see, Grand- father had his work set to please all of them, but somehow he always managed to do it, and the three children used to gather round his chair and listen to every word that he said; and sometim-ds he would stop and sav, "Do you know what that word means?" And when they said "No," be would explain it. Then they all said, "Oh! Go on, please, Grandfather!" because ^hey^ did not want to waste a single minute of the time. Margaret liked the story of the Oak Fairy best, and Joseph thought that the finest one was the tale of the Wig-warn, and Toby pre- ferred the story about Grandfather and the little black pig. But all the tales were Very good-much better than any you Come across in books. HIS CHOICE. What shall you be when you grow up? A soldier strong and brave? Or sailor perhaps to sail the seas On the crest of the foaming wave. Or a sweetstuff man, or a tinker black. Or perhaps a pirate bold, Or a crossmg-swTeeper or a doctor-man? Or a minor who digs out gold. Then Frederick thought for a lorg while, Then- he said, "N%lh I if I can. When I grow up I think 111 be Just an ordinary grown-up man!" j THE BIRD'S STORY. He would do it. It was all his own fault. He said that he wanted one of the eggs for his museum. As if I cared anything about his museum! Why, I didn't know what it was, and I don't know now, and I'm sure I don't want to. All I know is that he began to climb the tree in which my home is, though his sister begged him not to. When I saw him coming closer and closer I began to feel a little afraid, but I had built my home in a very safe place, and he couldn't get at it at all easily. First he tried this way, then he tried that, but he couldn't reach. So at last he took hold of a branch and began to swing himself along, and he came nearer and nearer, and he called out, "Now I shall get it!" But just then there was a smash, and the branch snapped, and down he went, right to the ground! There was such a shouting and screaming and cry- ing—people came running up and talking and malking such a fuss. I think he hurt himself rather badly. But it was his own fault. He shouldn't have come after my eggs A KEW IDEA. "It's very silly not to be good, isn't it, Uncle Philip?'' said Jim. "Yes, I think it is," said Uncle Philip. "But it's very difficult not to be naugnty, sometimes," said Lionel. "Yes, it is," said Uncle Philip. "I shall be very glad when I'm a grown- up man like you, Uncle Philip," said Jim. "I shall be very sorry," said Uncle Philip. "But why?" "I expect he means that he wants to fight real battles and not pretending ones," said Lionel. "Jim's not got much imagination." "Wa,s that it, Jim?" asked Uncle Philip. "No, it wasn't that this time," said Jim, "though I do sometimes want that, too but I think it must be so nice to be grown-up, because you don't have to trouble about being good or naughty at all. I suppose you're good all the time without bothering, aren't you, Uncle Philip?" "It must be rather dull," said Lionel. "But I'm not at all," said Uncle Philip. "Do you know it isn't a bit easy to be good sometimes, even when you're grown up?" "Well!" said Jim. "You never know!" said Lionel. I A GREAT OCCASION. It was his birthday. He had his very best clothes on (it was the first time he had worn them), and he felt very nervous indeed. For Uncle Alec had promised him half-a- crowm if he could read through the "Story of Horatius" without a mistake. Everyone was quite' quiet when he stood up to begin; he spoke very slowly at first, but he got better as he went on, and he never looked up from his book once. When he had finished they all clapped their hands and said, "Well done! Very good indeed!" and Uncle Alec drew a new half-crown from his pocket and gave it to the birthday boy. Then they all sat down to tea, and he had to cut the cake, and he enjoyed himself very much indeed. He was so very glad to have got Horatius" over; and he would have been still happier, I think, if he could have had his old clothes on; but we can't have everything, can we? I A LITTLE RASCAL. "Quick, Cyril, run and see what that puppy has got now!" It waj Baby's pinafore this time. The wind had blown it off the chair, and Fido had caught hold of it and run away with it. It was not very clean when he had done, you may be sure. Next morning Cyril could not find his shoe —he had to have breakfast with one shoe off and one shoe on. He hunted all over the house for it, and at last the butcher-bov brought it in when he came with the meat for dinner; he had found it by the front gate! Of course, it was Fido again! Then so niany things were lost that Mother told Cyril to tind out where Fido hid all the things; and Cyril watched the puppy carefully, and at last saw him taking a glove in his mouth out into the garden. Cyril followed him, and Fido made his way to a large bush and began to scrape at thc- ground; then Cyrii knew he had found thE right place. He ran up and very soon made a hole, and then he called out, "Oh, come and look! Here is my garden-hat, anC Daddy's sock, and Baby's rattle, and a mat, and my bird book, and Granny's thimble. and a lot of old bones!" Fido was well pucished, and he very soor leairod that it was wrong to take othei people's things away and bury them in a hole in the garden. But I think that really he must have kn6wn that from .the first.

THE LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE. The London Rifle Brigade is the corpt- most intimately associated with the Cor- poration of London. It was raised bv the Lord Mayor in 1859, the first man to join being Mr. T. D. Sewell, son of the City Sword-Bearer, and since then his eons, grandsons, and great-grandsons have served in the ranks. It has always been a fine shooting corps, and has the unique distinc- tion of having won the National Rifle As- sociation's gold medal three times, the names of the marksmen being Pte. Wyatt, 1864; Lieut. Johnson, 1902; and Corporal j3wr, 1909.