Title: Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, July 8, 1914
Author: Various
Language: English
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  PUNCH,

  OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

  VOLUME 147

  July 8, 1914

  CHARIVARIA.

LORD BRASSEY is said to be annoyed at the way in which his recent
adventure at Kiel was exaggerated. He landed, it seems, on the mole of
the Kaiser Dockyard, not noticing a warning to trespassers--and certain
of our newspapers proceeded at once to make a mountain out of the mole.

       * * *

Mr. ROOSEVELT'S American physician, Dr. ALEXANDER LAMBERT, has confirmed
the advice of his European physicians that the EX-PRESIDENT must have
four months' rest and must keep out of politics absolutely for that
period; and it is said that President WILSON is also of the opinion that
the distinguished invalid owes it to his country to keep quiet for a
time.

       * * *

At the farewell banquet to Lord GLADSTONE members of the Labour Unions
surrounded the hotel and booed loudly with a view to making the speeches
inaudible. As the first serious attempt to protect diners from an orgy
of oratory this incident deserves recording.

       * * *

There appear to have been some amusing misfits in the distribution of
prizes at the recent Midnight Ball. For example a young lady of
pronounced sobriety, according to _The Daily Chronicle_, secured a case
of whisky and went about asking if she could get it changed for perfume.
Whisky is, of course, essentially a man's perfume.

       * * *

There are One Woman Shows as well as One Man Shows in these days. An
invitation to be present at a certain function in connection with a
certain charitable institution announces:--

"ATHLETIC SPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES by LADY ---- ----."

       * * *

Some surprise is being expressed in non-legal circles that the actress
who lost the case which she brought against SANDOW, LIMITED, for
depicting her as wearing one of their corsets, did not apply for stays
of execution.

       * * *

Quite a number of our picture galleries are now closed, and it has been
suggested that, with the idea of reconciling the public to this state of
affairs, there shall be displayed conspicuously at the entrance to the
buildings the reminder, "_Ars est celare artem_."

       * * *

_The Gentlewoman_, by the way, which is publishing a series of articles
entitled "Woman's Work at the 1914 Academy," omits to show us photos of
Mr. SARGENT'S and Mr. CLAUSEN'S paintings after certain women had worked
upon them.

       * * *

The Admiralty dismisses as "a silly rumour" the report that one of our
new first-class destroyers is to be named _The Suffragette_.

       * * *

In Mr. STEPHEN PHILLIPS' play, _The Sin of David_, we are to see
Cavaliers and Roundheads. This will be a welcome change, for in most of
the theatres nowadays one sees a preponderance of Deadheads.

       * * *

The intrepid photographer again! _The Illustrated London News_
advertises:--

PHOTOGRAVURE PRESENTATION PLATE OF

GENERAL BOOTH AND
MRS. BRAMWELL BOOTH

LIONS PHOTOGRAPHED AT 5 YARDS'
DISTANCE.

       * * *

Once upon a time Red Indians used to kidnap Whites. Last week, Mrs. W.
BOWMAN CUTTER, a wealthy widow of seventy, living at Boston,
Massachusetts, eloped with her 21-year-old Red-skin chauffeur.

       * * *

A memorial to a prize-fighter who was beaten by TOM SAYERS was unveiled
at Nottingham last week. Should this idea of doing honour to defeated
British heroes spread to those of to-day our sculptors should have a
busy time.

       * * *

A visitor to Scarborough nearly lost his motor-car in the sands at Filey
last week: it sank up to the bonnet and was washed by the sea before it
was hauled to safety by four horses. Neptune is said to have been not a
little annoyed at the car's escape, as he realises that his old chariot
drawn by sea-horses is now sadly _démodé_.

       * * *

A new organisation, called "The League of Wayfarers," has been formed.
Its members apparently consist of "child policemen," who undertake to
protect wild flowers. How it is going to be done we do not quite
understand. Presumably, small boys will hide behind, say, dandelions,
and emit a loud roar when anyone tries to pluck the tender plant.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA.

_Romantic Tripper._ "TELL ME, HAVE YOU EVER PICKED UP ANY BOTTLES ON THE
BEACH?"

_Boatman._ "WERRY OFTEN, MISS!"

_Romantic Tripper._ "AND HAVE YOU FOUND ANYTHING IN THEM?"

_Boatman._ "NOT A BLESSED DROP, MISS!"

       *       *       *       *       *

When _The Yorkshire Post_ and _The Hull Daily Mail_ differ, who shall
decide between them? _The Hull Daily Mail_ asserts positively that A.
PAPAZONGLON won the long jump at the Bridlington Grammar School sports
and that C. PAPAZONGLON was second in the 100 yards and High Jump. Its
contemporary, however, unhesitatingly awards these positions to C.
PAPAZONGLOU, C. PAPAZONGA and G. PAPAZAGLOU respectively. But it gives
the "Victor Ludorum" cup to a new competitor, C. PAPAZOUGLOU, and again
differs from _The Hull Daily Mail_, which knows for a fact that it was
won by C. PPAZONGLON. Whom shall we believe?

       *       *       *       *       *

    "ASQUITH DENIES MILITANT PLEA.

    Receives Working Women but Won't Introduce Bill."--_New York Evening
    Sun._

We are left with the uneasy impression that William is a snob.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "On a divan the motion for rejection was carried by 178 to
    136."--_Daily Chronicle._

Our politicians are right to take it easy this hot weather.

       *       *       *       *       *

A PATRIOT UNDER FIRE.

(_Observed during the recent heat wave._)

  Philip, I note with unaffected awe
    How, with the glass at 90 in the cool,
  You still obey inflexibly the law
    That governs manners of the British school;
  How, in a climate where the sweltering air
    Seems to be wafted from a kitchen copper,
  You still refuse to lay aside your wear
          Of sable (proper).

  The Civil Service which you so adorn
    Would lose its prestige, visibly grown slack,
  And all its lofty pledges be forsworn
    Were you to deviate from your boots of black;
  Were you to shed that coat of sombre dye,
    That ebon brain-box (imitation beaver)
  Whose torrid aspect strikes the passer-by
          With tertian fever.

  As something far beyond me I respect
    The virtue, equal to the stiffest crux,
  Which thus forbids your costume to deflect
    Into the primrose path of straw and ducks;
  I praise that fine regard for red-hot tape
    Which calmly and without an eyelid's flutter
  Suffers the maddening noon to melt your nape
          As it were butter.

  "His clothes are not the man," I freely own,
    Yet often they express the stuff they hide,
  As yours, I like to fancy, take their tone
    From stern, ascetic qualities inside;
  Just as the soldier's heavy marching-gear
    Conceals a heart of high determination,
  Too big, in any temperature, to fear
          Nervous prostration.

  I cite the warrior's case who goes through fire;
    For you, no less a patriot, face your risk
  When in your country's service you perspire
    In blacks that snort at Phoebus' flaming disc;
  So, till a medal (justly made of jet)
    Records your grit and pluck for all to know 'em,
  I on your chest with safety-pins will set
          This inky poem.

    O. S.

       *       *       *       *       *

"THE PURPLE LIE."


"Arabella," I said, examining the fuzzy part of her which projected
above the dome of the coffee-pot, "I perceive that you mope. That being
so, I am glad to be able to tell you that I have been presented with two
tickets for _The Purple Lie_ to-morrow evening."

"Sorry," she replied, "but it's off."

"Off!" I exclaimed indignantly, "when the box-office is being besieged
all day by a howling mob, and armoured commissionaires are constantly
being put into commission to defend it. Off!"

"What I mean to say is," said Arabella, "that we're dining with the
Messington-Smiths to-morrow evening."

I bowed my head above the marmalade and wept. "Arabella," I groaned,
looking up at last, "what have we done that these people should continue
to supply us with food? We do not love them, and they do not love us.
The woman is a bromide. Her husband is even worse. He is a phenacetin. I
shall fall asleep in the middle of the asparagus and butter myself
badly. Think, moreover, of the distance to Morpheus Avenue. Remember
that I have been palpitating to see _The Purple Lie_ for weeks."

"So have I," said Arabella. "It's sickening, but I am afraid we must
pass those tickets on."

I happened that day to be lunching with my friend Charles. "The last
thing in the world I want to do," I said to him, "is to oblige you in
any way, but I chance to have--ahem!--purchased two stalls for _The
Purple Lie_ which I cannot make use of. I had forgotten that I am dining
with some very important and--er--influential people to-morrow night.
When a man moves as I do amid a constant whirl of gilt-edged
engagements----"

"Ass!" said Charles, and pocketed the tickets.

On the following morning I perceived a large crinkly frown at the
opposite end of the breakfast table, and, rightly divining that Arabella
was behind it, asked her what the trouble was.

"It's the Messington-Smiths," she complained. "They can't have us to
dinner after all. It seems that Mrs. Messington-Smith has a bad sore
throat."

"Any throat would be sore," I replied, "that had Mrs. Messington-Smith
talking through it. I wonder whether Charles is using those tickets."

"You might ring up and see."

To step lightly to the telephone, ask for Charles's number, get the
wrong one, ask again, find that he had gone to his office, ring him up
there and get through to him, was the work of scarcely fifteen minutes.
"Charles," I said, "are you using those two stalls of mine to-day?"

"Awfully sorry," he replied, "but I can't go myself. I gave them away
yesterday evening."

"Wurzel!" I said. "Who to?"

"To whom," he corrected gently. "To a dull man I met in the City named
Messington-Smith."

"Named _what_?" I shrieked.

"Messington-Smith. _M_ for Mpret, _E_ for Eiderdown----"

"Where does he live?"

"21, Morpheus Avenue."

For a moment the room seemed to spin round me. I put down the
transmitter and pressed my hand to my forehead. Then in a shaking voice
I continued--"Of all the double-barrelled, unmitigated, blue-faced----"

"What number, please?" sang a sweet soprano voice. I rang off, and went
to break the news to Arabella.

She was silent for a few moments, and then asked me suddenly,
"Whereabouts in the stalls were those seats of ours?"

"Almost in the middle of the third row," I replied mournfully.

Arabella said no more, but with a rather disdainful smile on her face
walked firmly to her little escritoire, sat down, wrote a note, and
addressed it to Mrs. Messington-Smith.

"What have you said?" I asked, as she stamped her letter with a rather
vicious jab on KING GEORGE'S left eye.

"Just that I am sorry about her old sore throat," she replied. "And then
I went on, that wasn't it funny by the same post we had been given two
stalls for _The Purple Lie_ to-night in a very good place in the middle
of the third row? She will get the letter by lunch-time," she added
pensively, "and it will be so nice for her to know that we shall be
sitting almost next to them."

"But we aren't going to _The Purple Lie_ at all," I protested.

"No," she said, "and as a matter of fact I don't suppose the
Messington-Smiths are either--now."

I left Arabella smiling triumphantly through her tears,
but when I returned in the evening the breakfast-time frown had
reappeared with even crinklier ramifications.

"Why," I asked, "are you looking like a tube map?"

"Mrs. Messington-Smith," she answered with a slight catch in her voice,
"has just been telephoning."

"I thought the receiver looked a bit played out," I said. "What does she
want with us now?"

"Well, she _has_ got a sore throat after all. You could tell that from
her voice. And she isn't going to _The Purple Lie_ either. She never
even meant to."

"But the tickets," I gasped.

"She and her husband quite forgot about them till to-day," said
Arabella. "And now they have given them away to some friends. But they
weren't given away at all till this afternoon, and----"

She broke off and gave a lachrymose little sniff.

"And what?"

"And she knew, of course, that we're disengaged to-night, and when she
got my letter she was just going to send them round to us."

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: BEATEN ON POINTS.

L.C.C. TRAM. "HARD LINES ON ME!"

MOTOR-'BUS. "YES, IT'S ALWAYS HARD LINES WITH YOU, MY BOY. THAT'S WHAT'S
THE MATTER; YOU CAN'T SIDE-STEP."

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: "WHO'S THE LITTLE MAN HOLDING HIS RACKET THAT FUNNY WAY?"

"OH, THAT'S MR. BINKS. HE TAKES THE PLATE ROUND IN CHURCH, YOU KNOW."

       *       *       *       *       *
Commercial Candour.

From a testimonial:--

    "I have had this cover on the rear wheel of my 3-1/2 h.p. Humber
    Motor Cycle and have ridden same 7,000 miles, six of these without a
    puncture."--_Advt. in "Motor Cycle."_

       *       *       *       *       *

"MRD. CPL., temporary."--_Advt. in "Daily Mail."_

When we tell you that the mystic letters mean "married couple," you will
share our horror.

       *       *       *       *       *

WOMAN AT THE FIGHT.

  In ancient unsophisticated days
  Women were valued for their cloistered ways.
  And won at Rome encouragement from man
  Only because they stayed at home and span;
  While PERICLES in Attic Greek expressed
  The view that those least talked about were best.
  There were exceptions, but the normal Greek
  Regarded SAPPHO as a dangerous freak,
  And CLYTEMNESTRA for three thousand years
  Was pelted with unmitigated sneers,
  Till RICHARD STRAUSS and HOFMANNSTHAL combined
  To prove that she was very much maligned.

  But now at last these cloistered days are o'er
  And woman, breaking down her prison door,
  Is free to take the middle of the floor.
  No more for her indomitable soul
  The meekly ministering angel _rôle_;
  No more the darner of her husband's socks,
  She takes delight in watching champions box,
  Finds respite from the carking cares that vex us
  In cheering blows that reach the solar plexus,
  Joins in the loud and patriotic shout
  While beaten BELL is being counted out,
  And--joy that makes all other joys seem nil--
  Writes her impressions for _The Daily Thrill_.

       *       *       *       *       *

ONCE UPON A TIME.

THE SUSCEPTIBLE AMERICAN.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful singer named Miss Iris Bewlay.
Every now and then she gave a recital, and it was always crowded. She
was chosen to sing "God save the King" at bazaars and Primrose League
meetings; her rendering of "Home, Sweet Home" moistened every eye.
Hostesses wishing to be really in the swim engaged her to sing during
after-dinner conversation for enormous fees.

When Miss Iris Bewlay was approaching the forties and adding every day
to her wealth, another Miss Bewlay--not Iris, but Gladys, and no
relation whatever--was gradually improving her gift of song with a
well-known teacher, for it was Miss Gladys Bewlay's intention, with her
parents' strong approval, to become a professional. She had not, it is
true, her illustrious namesake's commanding presence or powerful
register, but her voice was sweet and refined and she might easily have
a future.

It happened that a susceptible music-loving American staying in London
for a short time was taken by some English friends to a concert at which
Miss Iris Bewlay was singing, and he fell at once a victim to her tones.
Never before had he heard a voice which so thrilled and moved him. He
returned to his hotel enraptured, and awoke with but one desire and that
was to hear Miss Bewlay again.

"Say, where is a Miss Bewlay singing to-night?" he asked the hotel
porter.

The porter searched all the concert announcements, but found no mention
of the great name. In the end he advised a visit to one of the ticket
libraries, and off the enthusiast hurried.

Now it happened that this very evening was the one chosen for the
_début_, before a number of invited friends, of Miss Gladys Bewlay, and
one of the guests chanced to be at the ticket library at the moment the
susceptible American entered and fired his question at the clerk.

"Say, can you tell me where Miss Bewlay is singing to-night?" he said.

The clerk having no information, the susceptible American was turning
away when the guest of the other Bewlay family ventured to address him
with the information that Miss Bewlay was singing that evening at a
private gathering at one of the halls.

"Couldn't I get in?" the American asked.

"It's private," said the lady. "It's only for the friends of the
family."

"Let me take down the address, anyway," said he, and took it down.

That evening, just before Miss Gladys Bewlay's first song, a visiting
card was handed to one of her brothers, with the statement that a
gentleman desired the pleasure of a moment's interview on a matter of
great importance.

"See here," said the gentleman, and it was none other than the
susceptible American, "I'm just crazy about Miss Bewlay's singing. They
tell me she's here to-night. Now I know it's a strange thing to ask, but
I want to know if you can't just let me lean against a pillar somewhere
at the back while she's singing, and then I'll go right away. It's my
last chance for some time, you see. I go back to America to-morrow."

The brother, not a little impressed by his sister's magnetism, all
unsuspected in a _débutante_, and imagining the American to have heard
her at a lesson, said he saw no reason why this little scheme should not
be carried out; and so the American entered and took up an obscure
position; and in a short while Miss Bewlay ascended the platform and
began to sing.

When she had finished the American approached one of the guests and
begged to be told the name of the singer.

"Miss Bewlay," said the guest. "It's her first appearance to-night."

"Miss Bewlay," gasped the American. "Then there are two of them. You say
this is her first appearance?"

"Yes."

"Then she's very young?"

"Only about twenty."

The American returned to his corner, and the second song began.

Whatever disappointment his ears may have suffered it would have been
obvious to close observers that his eyes were contented enough. They
rested on the fair young singer with delight and admiration, and when
she had finished there was no applause like the susceptible American's.

When Miss Bewlay's brother had gradually worked his way to the back of
the room, he found the American in an ecstasy.

"She's great," he said. "Say, would it be too much to ask you to
introduce me?"

"Not at all," said the brother, who was as pleased at his sister's
success as though it were his own.

The American did not return to his own country the next day, nor for
many days after; and when he did he was engaged to Miss Gladys Bewlay.

Isn't that a pretty fairy story? and almost every word of it is true.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: "MY DEAR OLD FELLOW! WHAT'S THE MATTER? THE SEA'S LIKE A
DUCK-POND!"

"I KNOW, OLD BOY--BUT I'VE TAKEN SIX--DIFFERENT--REMEDIES."

       *       *       *       *       *

A SEASIDE "SONG SCENA."

Yesterday I celebrated the beginning of my holidays by patronising _The
Melodities_ on the beach. _The Melodities_ are a band of entertainers
who draw enormous salaries for giving a couple of performances daily in
a kind of luxurious open-air theatre.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," announced the Manager soon after I had taken my
seat, "our first item will be a Song Scena entitled _The Moon_, by
Bertie Weston, assisted by six members of the company." A quiver of
expectation ran through the crowded audience.

Bertie Weston, wearing a uniform resembling (I imagine) that of a
Patagonian Vice-Admiral, advanced mincingly to the footlights, and the
six others, similarly attired, ranged themselves in a row behind him.
Behind these again dropped a back-cloth representing a stone balustrade,
blue hills and fleecy clouds.

There was a burst of warm applause, in response to which Bertie politely
bowed his thanks. Without further preliminary he commenced--

  The crescent moon on high
  Is shining in the sky.

Here the six turned up their faces and gazed pensively at the heavens
(it was still broad daylight, by the way), at the same time resting
their chins on their right hands and their right elbows on their left
hands.

            The sun is gone,
            The stars are wan,
  Oh come, my love, we'll wander, you and I.

Here the six ceased to regard the sky, split into pairs and by
pantomimic gesture invited one another to wander.

  Across the hills we'll go,
  While birds sing soft and low,

The singer paused for an instant, while the six, now formed into a
semicircle, hummed together softly a suggestion of distant nightingales.
Not an imitation--that would be too banal--but a suggestion. In point of
fact I thought I detected the air of "The Little Grey Home in the West."

  While the silver moon adorns the summer sky.

After a brief pause, brightened by what are vulgarly termed twiddly bits
on the piano, the soloist sang the chorus, softly and appealing, with a
sort of treacly intonation:--

            Moon, moon, moon,
            We'll come soon, soon,
  Across the hills while all the world is dreaming.
            Moon, moon, moon,
            I'd like to swoon, swoon,

The heads of the six drooped listlessly and their hands fell languidly
to their sides; their eyes closed.

  When I see your white rays beaming, gleaming, streaming.

The six awoke briskly and commenced to glide around the stage,
describing circles, figures of eight, and other more intricate patterns,
while Bertie swayed his body rhythmically from side to side, his arms
and hands outstretched and palms turned downwards. In this formation
they all repeated the chorus together.

Bertie now cleared his throat and started on the second verse without
delay. The six stood sideways, their hands in their trousers pockets and
their faces turned to the audience.

  Oh, moon of dainty grace,
  Shine on my loved one's face.

The footlights were suddenly switched off and each of the six produced a
small electric torch and illuminated his neighbour's features. The
effect was startling. Presently the footlights reappeared as abruptly as
they had vanished and the torches were extinguished.

  Upon the hill
  The night is still.

Again there was a short pause, during which the six breathed lightly
through their teeth, producing a faint and long-drawn
_sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh_.

  Oh come, my love, together let us haste.

The six ceased sh-sh-ing and gracefully invited one another to haste.

          Away, away, we'll roam
          To seek our fairy home,
  While the silver moon illuminates the place.

The six placed both hands on their breasts and stood with bowed heads,
motionless except for a continuous and rhythmic bending of the knees,
while Bertie sang the chorus softly, lingeringly. Then, stretching out
their arms, they swayed their bodies from side to side as their leader
had previously done, while Bertie himself drifted in and out between
them, and all rendered the chorus for the second time.

            Moon, moon, moon,
            We'll come soon, soon.
  Across the hills while all the world is dreaming.
            Moon, moon, moon,
            I want to swoon, swoon,
  When I see your white rays beaming, gleaming, streaming.

There was a moment's emotional silence, broken by a thunder of rapturous
applause. The Song Scena, all too short, was finished.

Anxious not to risk spoiling the impression, I arose and left hastily
before the next turn.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _She._ "HERBERT, I CAN'T FIND MY BATHING-DRESS ANYWHERE!"

_He._ "SEE IF YOU'VE GOT IT ON."

       *       *       *       *       *

    "Young M'Pherson, the Blackford jumper, is anxious to fix up a match
    for a long jump with anybody in Scotland. A week ago he did 5-1/2
    ft., but he asserts he can beat this hollow if called upon."

    _Edinburgh Evening News._

If M'PHERSON will say just how young he is, we will find a suitable
nephew to take him on. Tommy (aged eight) did 6 ft. 1 in. yesterday, but
asserts that he slipped.

       *       *       *       *       *

A MIDSUMMER MADNESS.

The girl who shared Herbert's meringue at dinner (a brittle one, which
exploded just as he was getting into it) was kind and tactful.

"It doesn't matter a bit," she said, removing fragments of shell from
her lap; and, to put him at his ease again, went on, "Are you interested
in little problems at all?"

Herbert, who would have been interested even in a photograph album just
then, emerged from his apologies and swore that he was.

"We're all worrying about one which Father saw in a paper. I do wish you
could solve it for us. It goes like this." And she proceeded to explain
it. Herbert decided that the small piece of meringue still in her hair
was not worth mentioning and listened to her with interest.

On the next morning I happened to drop in at Herbert's office.... And
that, in short, is how I was mixed up in the business.

"Look here," said Herbert, "you used to be mathematical; here's
something for you."

"Let the dead past bury its dead," I implored. "I am now quite
respectable."

"It goes like this," he said, ignoring my appeal.

He then gave me the problem, which I hand on to you.

"A subaltern riding at the rear of a column of soldiers trotted up to
the captain in front and challenged him to a game of billiards for
half-a-crown a side, the loser to pay for the table. Having lost, he
played another hundred, double or quits, and then rode back, the column
by this time having travelled twice its own length, and a distance equal
to the distance it would have travelled if it had been going in the
other direction. What was the captain's name?"

Perhaps I have not got it quite right, for I have had an eventful week
since then; or perhaps Herbert didn't get it quite right; or perhaps the
girl with the meringue in her hair didn't get it quite right; but
anyhow, that was the idea of it.

"And the answer," said Herbert, "ought to be 'four cows,' but I keep on
making it 'eight and tuppence.' Just have a shot at it, there's a good
fellow. I promised the girl, you know."

I sat down, worked it out hastily on the back of an envelope, and made
it a yard and a half.

"No," said Herbert; "I know it's 'four cows,' but I can't get it."

"Sorry," I said, "how stupid of me; I left out the table-money."

I did it hastily again and made it three minutes twenty-five seconds.

"It _is_ difficult, isn't it?" said Herbert. "I thought, as you used to
be mathematical and as I'd promised the girl----"

"Wait a moment," I said, still busy with my envelope. "I forgot the
subaltern. Ah, that's right. The answer is a hundred and twenty-five
men.... No, that's wrong--I never doubled the half-crown. Er--oh, look
here, Herbert, I'm rather busy this morning. I'll send it to you."

"Right," said Herbert. "I know I can depend on you, because you're
mathematical." And he opened the door for me.

I had meant to do a very important piece of work that day, but I
couldn't get my mind off Herbert's wretched problem. Happening to see
Carey at tea-time, I mentioned it to him.

"Ah," said Carey profoundly. "H'm. Have you tried it with an '_x_'?"

"Of course."

"Yes, it looks as though it wants a bit of an '_x_' somewhere. You stick
to it with an '_x_' and you ought to do it. Let '_x_' be the
subaltern--that's the way. I say, I didn't know you were interested in
problems."

"Well----"

"Because I've got rather a tricky chess problem here I can't do." He
produced his pocket chess-board. "White mates in four moves."

I looked at it carelessly. Black had only left himself with a Pawn and a
King, while White had seen to it that he had a Queen and a couple of
Knights about. Now, I know very little about chess, but I do understand
the theory of chess problems.

"Have you tried letting the Queen be taken by Black's pawn, then
sacrificing the Knights, and finally mating him with the King alone?"

"Yes," said Carey.

Then I was baffled. If one can't solve a chess problem by starting off
with the most unlikely-looking thing on the board, one can't solve it at
all. However, I copied down the position and said I'd glance at it....
At eleven that night I rose from my glance, decided that Herbert's
problem was the more immediately pressing, and took it to bed with me.

I was lunching with William next day, and I told him about the
subaltern. He dashed at it lightheartedly and made the answer seventeen.

"Seventeen what?" I said.

"Well, whatever we're talking about. I think you'll find it's seventeen
all right. But look here, my son, here's a golf problem for you. A. is
playing B. At the fifth hole A. falls off the tee into a pond----"

I forget how it went on.

When I got home to dinner, after a hard day with the subaltern, I found
a letter from Norah waiting for me.

"I hear from Mr. Carey," she wrote, "that you're keen on problems.
Here's one I have cut out of our local paper. Do have a shot at it. The
answer ought to be eight miles an hour."

Luckily, however, she forgot to enclose the problem. For by this time,
what with Herbert's subaltern, Carey's pawn, and a cistern left me by an
uncle who was dining with us that night, I had more than enough to
distract me.

And so the business has gone on. The news that I am preparing a
collection of interesting and tricky problems for a new _Encylopædia_
has got about among my friends. Everybody who writes to me tells me of a
relation of his who has been shearing sheep or rowing against the stream
or dealing himself four aces. People who come to tea borrow a box of
wooden matches and beg me to remove one match and leave a perfect
square. I am asked to do absurd things with pennies....

Meanwhile Herbert has forgotten both the problem and the girl. Three
evenings later he shared his Hollandaise sauce with somebody in yellow
(as luck would have it) and she changed the subject by wondering if he
read DICKENS. He is now going manfully through _Bleak House_--a chapter
a night--and when he came to visit me to-day he asked me if I had ever
heard of the man.

However I was not angry with him, for I had just made it come to "three
cows." It is a cow short, but it is nearer than I have ever been before,
and I think I shall leave it at that. Indeed, both the doctor and the
nurse say that I had better leave it at that.

  A. A. M.

       *       *       *       *       *

A SEASONABLE BEVERAGE.

  Great charm hath tea--some fragrant blend;
  Sipped with a fair and festive friend;

  And even milk hath flavour, too,
  When sun-kissed milkmaids hand it you.

  Beer, in a large resounding can,
  Befits a coarser type of man,

  While some rejoice in spirit pure,
  And others in a faked liqueur.

  But none of these, nor any wine,
  Hath present claim to praise of mine,

  Hath e'er produced the gasp and thrill
  Of that incomparable swill

  When first, from care and toil set free,
  I plunge into the summer sea
  And bring a mouthful back with me.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THE ANNUAL PROBLEM.

_Showing how helpfully the hoardings distinguish between the
characteristic features of various localities._

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: A LONG-FELT WANT.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO MOTOR-CYCLES.

       *       *       *       *       *

POLITICS AT THE ZOO.

Lord ROBERT CECIL'S comparison of the occupants of the Treasury Bench to
the monkeys at the Zoo has caused considerable excitement in Regent's
Park, and one of _Mr. Punch's_ representatives, assisted by an
interpreter, has taken the opportunity to sound some of the principal
inmates on the subject.

In the Simian section a certain amount of regret was expressed that Lord
ROBERT had not been more explicit in his comparison. Did he refer to
chimpanzees, baboons, gorillas or other species? But when all allowance
was made for this lack of precision the general impression was one of
satisfaction that a leading politician should have frankly admitted that
monkeys possessed qualities which entitled their human possessors to
high office and handsome salaries. It was felt that this admission
marked a great advance on all previous concessions to the claims of the
Simian community, and pointed irresistibly to the ultimate
grant--already long overdue--of Monkey Franchise throughout the Empire.

Baboons, it was well known, were already employed as railway porters in
Cape Colony, and chimpanzees had of late years appeared with great
success at some of the leading music-halls. In view of these facts the
further delay of the suffrage could no longer be justified. At present
we were confronted with the gross anomaly that a tailor, who was
admitted to be only the ninth part of a man, was given a vote, while the
monkey, man's ancestor, was denied even the fraction which was all that
a tailor deserved.

These views however were not shared by other _genera_ domiciled at the
Zoological Gardens. One of the oldest lions observed in a strepitous
bass that it was a great relief to him that his race had not been
degraded by any such comparisons. He had some respect for hunters, but
as for politicians he would not be seen dead with them at a pig fair.
Asked whether he had read Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD'S account of his
lion-hunting exploits, in _The Daily Chronicle_, he professed ignorance
and even indifference. Speaking as an aristocrat he thought that a
Labour leader was not worthy to twist his tail. As for the conduct of
Mr. BERNARD SHAW in bringing lions on the stage, he thought it little
short of an outrage for an anæmic vegetarian to take liberties with the
king of the carnivora.

Considerable resentment was shown in the Ursine encampment at Mr. LLOYD
GEORGE'S somewhat disparaging reference to the bear's hug. (It will be
remembered that he compared with it the attitude of the Tories in
respect of the Finance Bill.) The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER evidently
regarded it as an insincere caress, whereas it was a perfectly honest
expression of hostility. This attack was all the more unjust and
undeserved since the bear was a most hardworking and underpaid member of
the community. When a politician reached the top of the poll he got £400
a year. When a bear did the same he only got a penny bun.

A conversation with a leading representative of the colony of Penguins
revealed the interesting fact that they were incapable of appreciating
our Parliamentary procedure owing to their hereditary inability to sit
down.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _Mr. Punch's_ HOLIDAY PAGES.

       *       *       *       *       *

THE PRIMA DONNA.

[_The repertoire of Summer is here made to embrace the prelude of many
good things that come within the wider scope of the holiday season._]

  Good gentlemen, good gentlemen, we crave your kind attention!
    Here's Summer, at your service (till you bid the lady stop);
  Good gentlemen, she's songs for you--'tis time to drop dissension;
    'Tis time to cut the cackle and to close awhile the shop;
  For stags shall be in Badenoch, and Kent hath twined the hop.

  Yes, songs for every son o' you, and all have silver linings!
    Good gentlemen, good gentlemen, it's close, your London air;
  If I'm mixing up the proverbs, 'tis because my roads run shining
    Through the fret of far-off pine-woods, and I'm wishful to be there;
  Or at hand among the hop-poles when the vines are trailing fair.

  Good gentlemen, the prologue! Here's a programme most attractive:
    She's songs for everyone o' you--oh, rare the tunes and rich!
  Here's hackneyed _Devon Harbours_ (but the pollock's biting active);
    Here's _Evening_ (rise in Hampshire); here's _The Roller on the Pitch_;
  And music in the lot o' them--it doesn't matter which.

  We've long _White Roads o' Brittany_ and pretty _Wayside Posies_,
    _Blue Bays_ (beneath the undercliff--the white sails crawling by);
  We've _Rabbits in a Hedgerow_ (how the bustling Clumber noses);
    We've _Grouse Across the Valley_ (crashing crumpled from the sky);
  And magic's in each note of her--it doesn't matter why.

  Here's _Salmon Songs_ and _Shrimping Songs_, according to your pocket;
    Here's _Hopping_ (with a lurcher--twice as useful as a gun
  For the fat young August pheasants that'll never live to rocket);
    Here's a jolly _Song o' Golf Balls_; here's the tune of
   _Cubs that Run_;
  We've something for each Jack o' you, for every mother's son.

  Good gentlemen, good gentlemen, we crave your kind permission!
    Here's Summer, at your service, and she'd sing you on your ways
  The marching songs of morning and the Road that fits the Vision,
    The mellow songs of twilight and the gold September haze;
  God rest you all, good gentlemen, and send you pleasant days.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THE VOGUE FOR WEARING FANCY DRESS THREATENS TO INVADE
ORDINARY SOCIAL LIFE.

TENNIS AT THE VICARAGE.

A JOLLY BATHING PARTY.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: OUR DEAR OLD FRIEND, THE FOREIGN SPY (CUNNINGLY DISGUISED
AS A GOLFER), VISITS OUR YOUNGEST SUBURB ONE SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN QUEST
OF FURTHER EVIDENCE OF OUR LETHARGY, GENERAL DECADENCE AND FALLING
BIRTH-RATE. HE GETS A SHOCK AND AT ONCE TELEGRAPHS TO HIS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF URGING THAT THE CONQUEST OF THE BRITISH ISLES BE
UNDERTAKEN BEFORE THE PRESENT GENERATION IS MANY YEARS OLDER.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustrations: THE INTRUSIONS OF THE CINEMA.

[Jones, secretary to the South Sea Islanders' Regeneration Society, who
is suffering from nerves, is recommended a very remote sea-coast retreat
for his summer holiday. With his wife and family he tries it. The
manager of a certain cinema company likewise chooses this particular
spot for his company to rehearse their powerful new drama, "Down among
the Dead Men."]

_Miss Jones._ "WAKE UP, DAD, WE'RE GOING TO BATHE."


_First Act of the Drama._--AFTER THE WRECK: DESMOND AND ROSEMARY WASHED
ASHORE ON THE CANNIBAL ISLAND.

       * * *

_Jones (to the rescue)._ "DEVILS! FIENDS! UNTIE THAT WHITE MAN!"

       * * *

_The Cinema Manager explains._ "SORRY TO HAVE CAUSED YOU ANY
INCONVENIENCE, SIR--MERELY REHEARSING 'DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN'--DAM
FINE DRAMA, SIR--WE PRODUCE SAME AT THE OPERA 'OUSE, CROYDON, ON THE
16TH."

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _Surf-rider._ "I'M ALMOST SURE THIS ISN'T A BIT THE WAY
IT'S DONE IN THOSE ILLUSTRATED PAPERS!"

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _Early Tripper._ "MAKES YER FEEL LIKE OLE NAPOLEON AT
WHAT'S-ITS-NAME!"

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: APT NOMENCLATURE IN OUR GARDEN SUBURB.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _The Captain._ "THE BLOOMIN' VICE-PRESIDENT'S FORGOT THE
STUMPS. YOUNG BILL 'ERE BETTER BE THE WICKET--'E WANTS TO PLAY AND 'E'S
TOO LITTLE TO BAT AGIN SWIFT BOWLIN'!"

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _Native_ (_having seen his rival tipped by guileless
visitor_). "'E'S SWINDLED YER, SIR. I'M THE OLDEST
INHABITANT--NINETY-FOUR COME SUNDAY THREE WEEKS. 'E'S ONLY A YOUNGSTER
OF EIGHTY-TWO."

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: EVEN IN HIS PLAY THE SCIENTIST'S CHILD IS SCIENTIFIC.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THE POLITICAL JUNGLE.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: A FULL JOY-DAY.

How an energetic visitor contrived to sample nearly all the attractions
of Worplethorpe-on-Sea (as advertised by the municipality) in the course
of a one-day's trip.

_9 to 10.30 A.M._--BATHING AND FISHING.

_10.30 A.M. to 12 (noon)._--SHOOTING AND CYCLING.

_12 to 1.30 P.M._--TENNIS AND BOTANY.

_3 to 4.30 P.M._--CROQUET AND ARCHÆOLOGY.

_4.30 to 6 P.M._--GOLF AND GEOLOGY.

_6 to 7.30 P.M._--SKETCHING AND DONKEY-RIDING.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: RACE-COURSE OF THE NEAR FUTURE, SUFFRAGETTE-PROOF.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: SMITH, WHO ALWAYS WEARS THE NATIVE COSTUME WHEN FISHING
IN THE HIGHLANDS (HIS GREAT-GRAND-AUNT'S STEP-FATHER HAVING BEEN A
McGREGOR) FINDS THE MIDGES SOMEWHAT TROUBLESOME. A LITTLE INGENUITY
HOWEVER OVERCOMES THE DIFFICULTY.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THE "SPASMO" CANOELET.

IT IS A RELUCTANT STARTER.

WHEN IT _DOES_ START, IT STARTS.

IT LAUGHS AT LOCKS.

IT ENDS AS A HYDRO-AEROPLANE.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THE EMANCIPATION OF THE EAST.

THE GRAND VIZIER, A MASTER OF POLYGAMY, REGRETS THE VOGUE OF THE CINEMA
AS AN EDUCATIVE FORCE.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: LUNCH "SCORES."

       *       *       *       *       *

COMPLAINTS ARE HEARD FROM HOLIDAY-MAKERS ON THEIR RETURN THAT THE
HOLIDAY HAS FAILED TO BENEFIT THEM. THIS IS DUE TO LACK OF PREPARATORY
TRAINING AT HOME.

Illustration: HARDEN THE FEET FOR BEACH-WALKING.

Illustration: ACCUSTOM THE LUNGS TO MARINE AROMAS.

Illustration: PREPARE TO RECEIVE THE BUFFETINGS OF NEPTUNE.

Illustration: TOUGHEN THE INTERIOR FOR A LODGING-HOUSE DIET.

       *       *       *       *       *

MR. PUNCH'S HOLIDAY FILM.

    [Having had the good fortune to pick up for a mere song (or, to be
    more accurate, for a few notes) several thousand miles of discarded
    cinema films from a bankrupt company, _Mr. Punch_ is gumming the
    best bits together and presenting them during the holiday season on
    the piers of many of our fashionable watering-places, such as
    Bayswater, Hackney Marshes and Ponder's End. The films comprise the
    well-known "Baresark Basil, the Pride of the Ranch" (two miles
    long), "The Foiler Foiled" (one mile, three furlongs, two rods,
    poles or perches), "The Blood-stained Vest" (fragment--eighteen
    inches), "A Maniac's Revenge" (5,000 feet), "The Life of the Common
    Mosquito" (six legs), and so forth. An accomplished writer has been
    chosen to weave a connected story round the selected parts of the
    films, and his scenario of _Mr. Punch's_ great picture play, when
    finally gummed together, is given below. The illustrations depict a
    few representative incidents in the story--taken from the
    sketch-book of an artist who was present when the films were first
    being prepared.]

Twenty-five years before our film opens, Andrew Bellingham, a young man
just about to enter his father's business, was spending a holiday in a
little fishing village in Cornwall. The daughter of the sheep-farmer
with whom he lodged was a girl of singular beauty, and Andrew's youthful
blood was quickly stirred to admiration. Carried away by his passion for
her, he--

    [MANAGER OF PUNCH FILM COMPANY. _Just a reminder that MR. REDFORD
    has to pass this before it can be produced._]

--he married her--

    [MANAGER. _Oh, I beg pardon._]

--and for some weeks they lived happily together. One day he informed
Jessie that he would have to go back to his work in London, and that it
might be a year or more before he could acknowledge her openly as his
wife to his rich and proud parents. Jessie was prostrated with grief;
and late that afternoon her hat and fringe-net were discovered by the
edge of the waters. Realising at once that she must have drowned herself
in her distress, Andrew took an affecting farewell of her father and the
sheep, and returned to London. A year later he married a distant cousin,
and soon rose to a condition of prosperity. At the time our film begins
to unwind, he was respected by everybody in the City, a widower, and the
father of a beautiful girl of eighteen, called Hyacinth.

    [MANAGER. _Now we're off. What do we start with?_]

I.

On the sunny side of Fenchurch Street--

    [MANAGER. _Ah, then I suppose we'd better keep back the Rescue from
    the Alligator and the Plunge down Niagara in a Barrel._]

--Andrew Bellingham was dozing in his office. Suddenly he awoke to find
a strange man standing over him.

"Who are you?" asked Mr. Bellingham. "What do you want?"

"My name is Jasper," was the answer, "and I have some information to
give you." He bent down and hissed, "_Your first wife is still alive!_"

Andrew started up in obvious horror. "My daughter," he gasped, "my
little Hyacinth! She must never know."

"Listen. Your wife is in Spain--

    [MANAGER. _Don't waste her. Make it somewhere where there are
    sharks._

    AUTHOR. _It's all right, she's dead really._]

--and she will not trouble you. Give me a thousand pounds, and you shall
have these;" and he held out a packet containing the marriage
certificate, a photograph of Jessie's father dipping a sheep, a
receipted bill for a pair of white gloves, size 9-1/2, two letters
signed "Your own loving little Andy Pandy", and a peppermint with "Jess"
on it in pink. "Once these are locked up in your safe, no one need never
know that you were married in Cornwall twenty-five years ago."

Without a moment's hesitation Mr. Bellingham took a handful of
bank-notes from his pocket-book, and the exchange was made. At all costs
he must preserve his little Hyacinth from shame. Now she need never
know. With a forced smile he bowed Jasper out, placed the packet in his
safe and returned to his desk.

Illustration: The Theft.

But his mysterious visitor was not done with yet. As soon as the door
had closed behind him Jasper re-entered softly, drugged Andrew hastily,
and took possession again of the compromising documents. By the time Mr.
Bellingham had regained his senses the thief was away. A hue-and-cry was
raised, police whistles were blown, and Richard Harrington, Mr.
Bellingham's private secretary, was smartly arrested.

At the trial things looked black against Richard. He was poor and he
was in love with Hyacinth; the chain of evidence was complete. In spite
of his impassioned protest from the dock, in spite of Hyacinth's
dramatic swoon in front of the solicitors' table, the judge with great
solemnity passed sentence of twenty years' penal servitude. A loud
"Hear, hear" from the gallery rang through the court, and, looking up,
Mr. Bellingham caught the sardonic eye of the mysterious Jasper.

II.

Richard had been in prison a month before the opportunity for his escape
occurred. For a month he had been hewing stone in Portland, black
despair at his heart. Then, like lightning, he saw his chance and took
it. The warders were off guard for a moment. Hastily lifting his
pickaxe----

    [MANAGER. _Sorry, but it's a spade in the only prison film we've
    got._]

Hastily borrowing a spade from a comrade who was digging potatoes, he
struck several of his gaolers down, and, dodging the shots of others who
hurried to the scene, he climbed the prison wall and dashed for freedom.

Illustration: The Escape.

Reaching Weymouth at nightfall, he made his way to the house which
Hyacinth had taken in order to be near him, and, suitably disguised,
travelled up to London with her in the powerful motor which she had kept
ready. "At last, my love, we are together," he murmured as they neared
Wimbledon. But he had spoken a moment too soon. An aeroplane swooped
down upon them, and Hyacinth was snatched from his arms and disappeared
with her captors into the clouds.

Illustration: The Abduction.

III.

Richard's first act on arriving in London was to go to Mr. Bellingham's
house. Andrew was out, but a note lying on his study carpet, "_Meet me
at the Old Windmill to-night_," gave him a clue. On receipt of this note
Andrew had gone to the _rendezvous_, and it was no surprise to him when
Jasper stepped out and offered to sell him a packet containing a
marriage certificate, a photograph of an old gentleman dipping a sheep,
a peppermint lozenge with "Jess" on it, and various other documents for
a thousand pounds.

"You villain," cried Andrew, "even at the trial I suspected you," and he
rushed at him fiercely.

A desperate struggle ensued. Breaking free for a moment from the
vice-like grip of the other, Jasper leapt with the spring of a panther
at one of the sails of the windmill as it came round, and was whirled
upwards; with the spring of another panther, Andrew leapt on to the next
sail and was whirled after him. At that moment the wind dropped, and the
combatants were suspended in mid-air.

Illustration: The Duel at the Mill.

It was upon this terrible scene that Richard arrived. Already a crowd
was collecting; and, though at present it did not seem greatly alarmed,
feeling convinced that it was only assisting at another cinematograph
rehearsal, its suspicions might at any moment be aroused. With a shout,
he dashed into the mill. Seeing him coming Jasper dropped his revolver
and slid down the sail into the window. In a moment he reappeared at the
door of the mill with Hyacinth under his arm. "Stop him!" cried Richard
from underneath a sack of flour. It was no good. Jasper had leapt with
his fair burden upon the back of his mustang and was gone....

The usual pursuit followed.

IV.

It was the gala night at the Royal Circus. Ricardo Harringtoni, the
wonderful new acrobat of whom everybody was talking, stood high above
the crowd on his platform. His marvellous performance on the swinging
horizontal bar was about to begin. Richard Harrington (for it was he)
was troubled. Since he had entered on his new profession--as a disguise
from the police who were still searching for him--he had had a vague
suspicion that the lion-tamer was dogging him. _Who was the lion-tamer?_
Could it be Jasper?

At that moment the band struck up and Richard leapt lightly on to the
swinging bar. With a movement full of grace he let go of the bar and
swung on to the opposite platform. And then, even as he was in mid-air,
he realized what was happening.

Illustration: An Awkward Moment for Richard.

Jasper had let the lion loose!

_It was waiting for him._

With a gasping cry Ricardo Harrington fainted.

V.

When he recovered consciousness, Richard found himself on the S.S.
_Boracic_, which was forging her way through the--

    [MANAGER.--_Somewhere where there are sharks._]

--the Indian Ocean. Mr. Bellingham was bathing his forehead with cooling
drinks.

"Forgive me, my boy," said Mr. Bellingham, "for the wrong I did you. It
was Jasper who stole the compromising documents. He refuses to give them
back unless I let him marry Hyacinth. What can I do?"

"Where is she?" asked Richard.

"Hidden away no one knows where. Find her, get back the documents for
me, and she is yours."

Illustration: The Rescue. [_Inset--the Cinema Shark, 3s. 6d._]

At that moment a terrible cry rang through the ship; "Man overboard!"
Pushing over Mr. Bellingham and running on deck, Richard saw that a
woman and her baby were battling for life in the shark-infested waters.
In an instant he had plunged in and rescued them. As they were dragged
together up the ship's side he heard her murmur, "Is little Jasper
safe?"

"Jasper?" cried Richard.

"Yes, called after his daddy."

"Where is daddy now?" asked Richard hoarsely.

"In America."

"Can't you see the likeness?" whispered Richard to Mr. Bellingham. "It
must be. The villain is married to another. But now I will pursue him
and get back the papers." And he left the boat at the next port and
boarded one for America.

VI.

The search through North and South America for Jasper was protracted.
Accompanied sometimes by a band of cowboys, sometimes by a tribe of
Indians, Richard scoured the continent for his enemy. There were hours
when he would rest awhile and amuse himself by watching the antics of
the common mosquito. [MANAGER. _Good!_] or he would lie at full length
and gaze at a bud bursting into flower [MANAGER. _Excellent!_]. Then he
would leap on to his steed and pursue the trail relentlessly once more.

One night he was dozing by his camp-fire, when he was awakened roughly
by strong arms around his neck and Jasper's hot breath in his ear.

Illustration: Another Awkward Moment.

"At last!" cried Jasper, and, knocking Richard heavily on the head with
a boot, he picked up his unconscious enemy and carried him to a
tributary of the Amazon noted for its alligators. Once there he tied him
to a post in mid-stream and rode hastily off to the nearest town, where
he spent the evening witnessing the first half of _The Merchant of
Venice_. [MANAGER. _Splendid!_] But in the morning a surprise awaited
him. As he was proceeding along the top of a lonely cliff he was
confronted suddenly by the enemy whom he had thought to kill.

"Richard!" he cried, "escaped again!"

"Now, Jasper, I have you."

With a triumphant cry they rushed at each other; a terrible contest
ensued; and then Jasper, with one blow of his palm, hurled his adversary
over the precipice.

Illustration: Over the Precipice.

VII.

How many times the two made an end of each other after this the films
will show. Sometimes Jasper sealed Richard in a barrel and pushed him
over Niagara; sometimes Richard tied Jasper to a stake, and set light to
him; sometimes they would both fall out of a balloon together. But the
day of reckoning was at hand.

    [MANAGER. _We've only got the Burning House and the 1913 Derby
    left._

    AUTHOR. _Right._]

It is the evening of the 3rd of June. A cry rends the air suddenly,
whistles are blowing, there is a rattling of horses' hoofs. "Fire!
Fire!" Richard, who was passing Soho Square at the time, heard the cry
and dashed into the burning house. In a room full of smoke he perceived
a cowering woman. Hyacinth! To pick her up was the work of a moment, but
how shall he save her? Stay! The telegraph wire! His training at the
Royal Circus stood him in good stead. Treading lightly on the swaying
wire he carried Hyacinth across to the house opposite.

"At last, my love," he breathed.

"But the papers," she cried. "You must get them, or father will not let
you marry me."

Once more he treads the rocking wire; once more he re-crosses, with the
papers on his back. Then the house behind him crumbles to the ground,
with the wicked Jasper in its ruins.

Illustration: Richard Recovers the Letters.

VIII.

"Excellent," said Mr. Bellingham at dinner that evening. "Not only are
the papers here, but a full confession by Jasper. My first wife was
drowned all the time; he stole the documents from her father. Richard,
my boy, when the Home Secretary knows everything he will give you a free
pardon. And then you can marry my daughter."

At these words Hyacinth and Richard were locked in a close embrace. On
the next day they all went to the Derby together.

  A. A. M.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: A MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING.

LORD LANSDOWNE (_Art Dealer, to Mr. ASQUITH_). "YES, I QUITE SEE YOUR
IDEA--A FIGURE OF PEACE; BUT, SINCE YOU INVITE SUGGESTIONS FROM ME, I
SHOULD SAY THAT THE ADDITION OF A FEW RECOGNISABLE SYMBOLS, SUCH AS A
PAIR OF WINGS, OR A DOVE, OR AN OLIVE-BRANCH, MIGHT HELP TO MAKE IT
CORRESPOND MORE CLEARLY WITH MY PUBLIC'S NOTION OF THE GODDESS IN
QUESTION."

       *       *       *       *       *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

(EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.)

_House of Commons, Monday, June 29._--Curious how the Labour Party, who
the other day, joining hands with the Conservatives, nearly threw the
Government out, lead the way in sartorial fashion. Since DON'T KEIR
HARDIE, home from the storied East, presented himself in a reach-me-down
suit of white drill such as is worn aboard ship in the Red Sea, nothing
has created such sensation as the dropping in this afternoon of Mr.
HODGE, arrayed in a summer suit. It was not, as some might have
expected, the simple garment of the elder branch of his honourable
family. No. It was not a smock such as FRANK LOCKWOOD pictured BOBBY
SPENCER wearing when he made his historic declaration, "I am not an
agricultural labourer." HODGE (Gorton Div., Lancs., Lab.), as _The
Times'_ parliamentary report has it, burst upon the attention of a
crowded House at Question-time got up in wondrous garment, white in the
foundation of colour, but relieved from the crude hardness of DON'T KEIR
HARDIE'S suit by what suggested dexterous process of patting and lightly
smearing with a mustard-spoon. A Trilby hat crowned and accentuated
this creation.

As the vision crossed the Bar Members sat silent, gazing upon it with
lips slightly parted. Similarly, upon a peak in Darien, stout CORTEZ
stared at the Pacific.

Silence was broken by a burst of hearty cheering, in which the keen ear
detected a slightly discordant note. Whilst Members were frankly
disposed to applaud the boldness of what I believe purveyors of new
models of female dress call the "confection," whilst they were lost in
admiration of its effect, there was a feeling of disappointment that
they had not thought of it themselves, and been the first to enter the
field.

Thanks to the genius of FRANK LOCKWOOD a former House was able to
realise the figure presented by the present. Earl SPENCER, whilst still
with us in the Commons, skipping along in the purity of a Monday morning
smock, carrying in his right hand a garlanded pitchfork. What the
present House, jaded with a succession of Budgets and the persistence of
the Ulster question, would like to see is the entrance of those twin
brethren, Lord CASTLEREAGH and Earl WINTERTON, walking arm-in-arm,
arrayed in garb approaching as nearly as possible that which, thanks to
Mr. HODGE, this afternoon illuminated the Legislative Chamber.

_Business done._--CHANCELLOR OF EXCHEQUER announced third edition of
Budget. "Before the end of the week," said SARK, "I expect we shall meet
him running up and down the Terrace with hand to widely-opened mouth
shouting "Extry Speshul!"

       * * *

Illustration: "EXTRY SPESHUL!"

       * * *

_Tuesday._--AMERY began to think he had escaped consequences of his
little mistake. Nearly a week has sped since he called attention to
indiscretion of Captain BELLINGHAM, _aide-de-camp_ to the
LORD-LIEUTENANT, who, reviewing small body of Nationalist volunteers,
enjoined them to stand fast by cause of Home Rule. From answer of CHIEF
SECRETARY it appeared that Member for South Birmingham had been
forestalled by Lord ABERDEEN, who had called upon the Captain for
explanation and received suitable apology for the error.

Irish Members quick to see opening innocently made for them. Having long
regarded with resentment Lord LONDONDERRY'S active patronage of
movements of Ulster volunteers, have sedulously sought opportunity of
bringing it under notice of House. AMERY obligingly provided it.
Unexpected delay in seizing it was due to search for particulars now
presented in form of question addressed to PREMIER, citing with dates
and places six separate occasions when the _aide-de-camp_ to the KING
had, by his presence and counsel, sanctioned reviews of Ulster
volunteers, "whose avowed object," as the question put it, "is, in event
of enactment of Home Rule Bill, to resist by armed force the authority
of the Crown and Parliament, and to make the administration of the law
impossible." What Mr. DEVLIN, with studied politeness, was anxious to
know was "whether there is any special reason why in this matter the
Marquis of LONDONDERRY should be treated differently from Captain
BELLINGHAM?"

PREMIER not to be drawn into the controversy. Duties of _aide-de-camp_
to the KING, unlike those of _aide-de-camp_ to LORD-LIEUTENANT, are, he
said, of entirely honorary character. In such circumstances he did not
think it worth while to take notice of the matter.

Effect of the reply designedly chilling; object of question attained by
publicly submitting it. AMERY "wishes he hadn't spoke."

The PREMIER'S imperturbability stood him in even greater stead at later
proceedings. On going into Committee of Supply, HOPE of Sheffield moved
reduction of his salary on account of alleged failure to take necessary
steps to maintain high standard of single-minded disinterestedness in
public service. Though nominally concerned with the PREMIER and the
public service HOPE told a flattering tale which was a thinly veiled
attack on that meek personage the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.

ARCHER-SHEE, who followed, was less circuitous in his retrograde march
on old Marconi quarters. Soon had Committee in state of uproar vainly
combated by those champions of order, WINTERTON, ARTHUR MARKHAM and
SWIFT MACNEILL. WINTERTON, whilst constitutionally forceful, was
irresistibly irrelevant. Member for Pontefract venturing to offer an
observation, WINTERTON shouted, "Order, pigeons!"

Of course there were no pigeons about. An active mind, quick to seize a
point, had harked back to DICK TURPIN BOOTH'S ride to Yorkshire in a
race with carrier pigeons.

MARKHAM denounced ARCHER-SHEE for delivering "a low attack that could
not be answered." Accusation summarised by other Members with yell of
"Coward!"

As for SWIFT MACNEILL, ARCHER-SHEE presuming to rise simultaneously with
one of his many upgettings, he turned upon him and roared, "Sit down,
Sir!" Gallant Major so terrified that he incontinently fell back in his
seat.

To general discussion Members from various quarters of House contributed
the observations, "Dirty lies!" "Coward!" "Caddish!" "Unspeakably low!"
"Shut up!" Only for coolness, courage and prompt decision of WHITLEY in
the Chair discreditable scene would have worthily taken its place among
others that smirch pages of Parliamentary record. Having occupied two
hours of time assumed to be valuable it died out from sheer exhaustion.
On division what was avowedly vote of censure on PREMIER negatived by
majority of 152.

_Business done._--Summer storm in Committee of Supply.

       * * *

Illustration: _Lord MORLEY._"Thanks, I won't trouble you; I still
have a crust left."

["The noble marquis seemed to regard the Government as a shipwrecked
mariner--I presume a pirate. If I am a pirate he is the last man to whom
I should think of applying for aid, unless the distress was dire
indeed."

_Lord MORLEY._]

       * * *

_House of Lords, Thursday._--Second night of debate on Amending Bill to
modify a measure not yet enacted. House crowded, evidently weighed down
by a sense of direct responsibility at grave crisis. _Le brave_
WILLOUGHBY DE BROKE has no patience with attitude of noble lords on
Front Opposition Bench. Is congenitally prone to take a short way with
dissenters. Came to the fore five years ago, when what HALDANE called
LLOYD GEORGE'S first great Budget (eclipsed by his second) fell like a
bomb in the Parliamentary arena. Whilst elder peers were disposed to
temporise in view of constitutional difficulty, WILLOUGHBY had only
three words to say--"Throw it out!"--MILNER adding a fearless remark
about the consequences whose emphasis has been excelled only by Mrs.
PATRICK CAMPBELL in _Pygmalion_. So the Budget was shattered on the rock
of the House of Lords, and in swift reprisal with it went the supremacy
of that ancient institution.

Less effectual in his resistance to the Parliament Act which promptly
followed, DE BROKE is insistent upon treating the Amending Bill as the
Budget of 1909 was treated. Has moved its rejection and, in spite of
HALSBURY, threatens to go to a division.

Meanwhile LANSDOWNE, in weighty speech worthy great occasion, announces
intention of voting for Second Reading of Bill, with intent to amend it
in Committee. Originally planned that division should be taken to-night.
So many peers have something to say that it is postponed till Monday.

_Business done._--Debate on Amending (Home Rule) Bill continued.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THE "FRESH AIR FUND": AN APPRECIATION.

"THERE, NOW, AIN'T THAT A TREAT, BILLY? THERE AIN'T NO COUNTRY IN THE
WORLD I LIKE SO MUCH AS ENGLAND."

       *       *       *       *       *

THE NEW PROFESSIONAL HUMILITY.

    ["I have always held a decided opinion that the less people trouble
    themselves about literature the better for them."--_M. PIERRE LOTI_
    (vide "_Daily Chronicle._")]

_Sir THOMAS LIPTON._ How can a tea-drinking people hope to lift the Cup?
Tannin is a poison fatal to the true sportsman.

_The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER._ The interest taken in politics
diverts attention from everything that really matters.

_The POET LAUREATE._ Poetry is not only a drug on the market, it is a
drug that narcotises and debilitates all true manhood.

_Mr. EUSTACE H. MILES._ Vegetarianism is fit only for pigs. The noble
king of the forest is a meat-eater.

_Lord ROBERTS._ The military bias is the only obstacle to peace.

_Mme. CLARA BUTT._ The human voice was given us for fish-hawking and
encouraging football-players, not for singing.

_Sir H. BEERBOHM TREE._ I cannot think why anyone goes to the theatre.
It bores me horribly.

_Mr. H. G. WELLS._ The past alone possesses interest for intelligent
men.

_Mr. G. K. CHESTERTON._ Orthodoxy, it has been said, is my doxy;
heterodoxy is other people's doxy; but paradoxy is the devil's doxy.

_Sir E. ELGAR._ Music? How can any serious man fiddle while Home is
burning?

_Sir E. J. POYNTER._ The Royal Academy is crushing the life out of
English Art. The country's only hope is in Cubism.

_Signor MARINETTI._ Your Royal Academy is the true Temple of Art. I
never cross its threshold without first removing my sandals.

       *       *       *       *       *

A RECORD CAST.

    "A 3 lb. 15 oz. chub has been taken at Abingdon by Mr. A. Owen near
    Henley."

    _Field._

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: WHY SHOULD NOT PERSEVERING PETER OF THE PUSH-BIKE ADOPT,
WHEN TRAVELLING, THE SAME SUPERCILIOUS ATTITUDE AS LANGUID LIONEL OF THE
TOURING-CAR DE LUXE.

       *       *       *       *       *

THE JESTING OF JANE.

(_In which it is explained how competent I am to keep the servants in
their places even when their mistress is away._)

  I like a good practical joke; as the garland adorning
    The hair of a maiden it shines, as the balm that is shed
  On the brain of a wandering minstrel; it comes without warning,
    Transmuting to gold an existence that once was as lead.
      It glads, it rejoices the soul; recollecting it after
      One well-nigh explodes; but I say there are seasons for laughter,
  And, like other great men, I am not at my best in the morning
            When just out of bed.

  So it was that last week, when the pitiless glare of Apollo
    Was toasting the lawn till it looked like a segment of mat,
  When I came to my breakfast at length from a lingering wallow
    In a bath that professed to be cold--as I moodily sat
      And observed how the heat on the pavements was momently doubling,
      And hated the coffee for looking so brown and so bubbling,
  And hated my paper, which seemed to expect me to follow
            A prize-fight (my hat!)--

  When I heard a great noise as though heaven was breaking asunder,
    And "Thanks be to glory," said I, "for this merciful dole;
  The rain! the beneficent rain! Will it lighten, I wonder?
    I need not pack up, after all, for my cruise to the Pole;"
      And my spirits revived and my appetite seemed to awaken,
      And I said so to Jane as she brought in the kidneys and bacon;
  I was vexed when she answered me pertly, "Why, that isn't thunder;
            We're taking in coal!"

  I say there _are_ limits. The girl may be decent and sunny,
    Industrious, sober and what not; I don't care a bit;
  But she hasn't a right on a day such as that to be funny,
    With the glass at 120, confound her, the chit!
      I refuse to submit to the whimsical wheeze of a servant
      Just because Araminta's away and the weather is fervent,
  So I said to her, "Wench, do you fancy you're taking my money
            For work or for wit?

  "What are parlourmaids coming to now with their insolent banter?
    Command those uproarious ruffians to hop it, to _trek_
  And fetch me a siphon or two and the whisky decanter;
    Your notions of humour have left me exhausted and weak;
      Take the breakfast away; disappointment has vanquished my hunger,
      And afterwards go out at once to the nearest fishmonger
  And order two cart-loads of icebergs. Obey me _instanter_,
            Or leave in a week."

  EVOE.

       *       *       *       *       *

"Although weighing over 13 tons, Glendinning declares that an
aircraft built from his designs could sail round the world without the
slightest danger of calamity."--_Glasgow Herald._

Subject for Silly Season--Should Stout Men Boast?

       *       *       *       *       *

RUBBING IT IN.

    [_The following article appears to have been intended for a popular
    Halfpenny Daily, but as it has been sent to us we feel entitled to
    print it._]

TERRIFIC STRUGGLE.

MR. LOWLY DEFEATS MR. GORMAN CRAWL.

HOW I DID IT. BY FERDINAND LOWLY.

Mr. Gorman Crawl's efforts to avoid defeat in his match with me in the
semi-finals of the Dartmoor and West Dorset Championship was, I think,
the finest exhibition of Lawn Tennis that has been seen for many a long
day, and I congratulate those who were so fortunate as to witness the
game. In the second set particularly, Mr. Crawl's play exhibited a
consistent accuracy combined with activity of resource and hard hitting
which, so far as I am aware, has rarely been equalled in the history of
the pastime. He frequently returned drives down the side lines and cross
volleys which I have always regarded as untakable, putting me in the
position of having to repeat those strokes several times before I could
make the ace. Even in the third set, Mr. Crawl certainly did not lose
heart, as many might have done; in fact he gained vigour to such an
extent that his play in the last games became not merely impetuous, but
frenzied. Had I not possessed an iron nerve, Mr. Gorman Crawl might have
snatched a game or two; and I feel sorry for my opponent when I recall
that he only made five points in the set, one of which was due to a net
cord stroke, and another to my accidentally treading on a ball. The
final scores, as set forth in the "Stop Press" columns of one of the
evening papers, were as follows:--

  "Crawl beat Lowly ... 6--0. 6--0. 6--0,"

and if the reader reverses the statement he will know the correct
result. Mr. Gorman Crawl, after an exhibition which stultifies previous
conceptions of what is possible in the way of offensive and defensive
tactics, and which refutes once and for all the leading contentions in
Mr. Wail's monumental work on the game, was beaten by me in three love
sets.

The game opened by my serving a double fault. I then found that I was
using my Thursday's racket instead of Tuesday's. After a brief recess,
during which, as I am informed, Mr. Gorman Crawl took in his belt one
hole, the game proceeded. I served to my opponent's back hand, but,
contrary to all rules laid down by Mr. Wail, he unexpectedly returned
the ball to _my_ back hand. The result was that I failed to reach it. It
then occurred to me that I ought to make sure I had no gravel in my
shoes. I did this without leaving the court. When I had replaced my
footwear and was preparing to serve again, I saw that Mr. Gorman Crawl
was lying on the ground, apparently asleep. He started up, however, on
the score being called a second time, and the game proceeded.

Noticing that my opponent was standing a long way back, I now made a
display of hitting the ball hard and then dropped it just over the net.
Mr. Crawl did not notice what was happening till too late, and I not
only took the ace but had the satisfaction of noticing that my opponent
was breathing hard after his fruitless effort to reach the ball. I had,
so to speak, drawn first blood. I repeated the ruse with my next
service. Mr. Crawl, being now on the alert, reached the ball, but was
unable to stop himself, and charged into the net, and the score was
called "thirty all." A third time I brought off a drop serve; the ball
was returned and I then tossed it with an undercut stroke to the base
line. Mr. Crawl ran back, but the ball bounding high and with a strong
break he lost sight of it, and after some intricate manoeuvres, in
which he had the advantage of advice from the crowd, it eventually fell
on his head, and I scored the ace. I had now only to make one point to
reach the game, and I effected this by a high-kicking service that left
my opponent petrified.

During the set Mr. Crawl gradually got into his game, and, thanks to a
strong instinct of self-preservation, he succeeded in returning, when up
at the net, many of my drives at his chest and head which I had thought
were sure of their mark. His play in the last rally, when the score
stood at "5 games to 0 and 40 love" in my favour, called forth loud
applause, and I had to do all I knew to prevent him winning an ace which
might have resulted in his eventually capturing the game.

At this point an incident occurred which has been variously reported.
The facts are that, before embarking on the second set, Mr. Gorman Crawl
petitioned the referee that I should be required to remove my tie. The
tie referred to is my well-known tennis tie. It is a Mascot, as I
associate all my successes on the court during the past four years with
this tie. It is a large scarlet bow with vivid green and white spots the
size of halfpenny pieces, arranged astigmatically. Mr. Crawl said the
cravat held his eye and put him off his game, and complained that there
were so many spots in front of him that he did not know which was the
ball. I am glad to be able to add the testimony of such a first string
man as Mr. Gorman Crawl to the merits of the "Lowly Patent Tennis Tie"
(Registered No. 273125/1911, price _2s. 9d._, of all Gunsmiths and
Sports Outfitters). I explained to the referee that the tie was a
well-known patent and that, if he ruled it out and disqualified the tie,
a promising industry would be irretrievably ruined. The referee
naturally declined to take such a responsibility and ordered the game to
proceed, and we took our places on the course. When, however, I faced
Mr. Crawl I found that he had pulled down the sleeve of his shirt over
his hand and buttoned it round the handle of his racket. The effect was
most disconcerting, for the racket appeared to be part of his body--as
if, in fact, he had two elbow joints, and the face of the bat was the
palm of his hand. Moreover it was impossible to anticipate the direction
of his shots. When forty love had been scored against me I appealed to
the referee. The result of that interview was that M. Gorman Crawl
courteously unbuttoned his sleeve, and I with equal courtesy removed my
tie. The episode was greeted with loud applause, and for my part I felt
amply repaid for the sacrifice I had made by the gain in popularity.

I have already referred to the strenuous character of Mr. Gorman Crawl's
efforts in this set. The following is the rally for the third ace in the
fifth game, given in the notation invented by Mr. Wail, though not yet
generally adopted. The diagram will be found in the third volume of Mr.
Wail's book, _How to be always right_.

  CRAWL.                 LOWLY.

  1. RS to SL2.         1. BR1 to LK5.
  2. LP3 to RT4.        2. KL to LK4.
  3. PK4 to LK5. (Ch.)  4. K × R.
  5. P × K.             5. B × P.
  6. Resigns.

At the conclusion of the match I shook hands with Mr. Gorman Crawl
across the net before he could leave the court, and loudly congratulated
him on his brilliant struggle. I now have to meet Mr. "U. R. Beete" in
the final round, and if successful my match for the Championship with
Mr. "Y. R. U. Sadd" will be played, weather permitting, on Tuesday at 3
o'clock, and should be well worth seeing.

  NOTES.

Mr. Gasp has exchanged the cheese scoop, which is identified with the
championship of South Rutlandshire, for a fish-slice.

Mr. Bloshclick, who lately won the South-West Devon Singles
Championship at Sidmouth, is not a native of Antananarivo, as has been
stated, but is, we are informed, of Zulu origin.

We regret to report that Mr. Wail met with an unfortunate accident at
Broadstairs ten days ago. As a spectator at the annual Lawn Tennis
Tournament he was demonstrating to a group of experts the methods which
Mr. Wilding ought properly to employ in making his lifting forehand
drive, when he struck himself a violent blow on the head, partly
severing the right ear. This is the second time Mr. Wail has met with
the accident, but we are glad to hear that he is making a satisfactory
recovery.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _Tramp_ (_suddenly appearing at riverside camping
party_). "BEG YER PARDON, GUV'NOR, BUT COULD YER LEND ME A BATHIN'
SUIT?"

       *       *       *       *       *

    "Cigarette Makers (Female), round and flat."--_Advt. in "Daily
    Chronicle."_

Who makes round cigarettes (or flat) should herself be round (or flat)
respectively.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "WANTED.--Anything old to do with the Church or Church Services;
    preference given to examples with dates or inscriptions."

    _Advt. in "The Challenge."_

We were just going to offer our Vicar, but he has no inscription on him.

       *       *       *       *       *

PLATITUDES: THE NEW GAME.

It is based on "Bromides" and any one can play it. The least educated
has a chance of winning and an Oxford degree is no bar to success--quite
the reverse, in fact; indeed I have known dons....

This is how it is played. Two people are seated in easy-chairs, for it
has been found that you cannot be too comfortable for this game; any
discomfort is apt to excite the mind, to disturb the grey matter, to
interfere with that complete repose which is so essential a feature of
the contest. These two are the players. They indulge in small talk and
the smaller talker wins. The object of each player is to make such
inanely conventional remarks that his opponent is reduced to silence.
For example you are sitting next to a bishop, and it falls to you to
start the conversation. Of course you don't say anything like "How sad
about this Kikuyu business." No, you open like this. "Are you fond of
dancing?" you say. The bishop will reply coldly, "It is many years since
I danced." You sigh and murmur, "Ah! the dear old days!" I cannot
imagine what his lordship will say next.

Of course the conversation in Platitudes must be connected and coherent.
There is no use repeating "Wollah wollah, gollah gollah, ASQUITH must
go, We want eight," or things of that sort. And you must not make mere
blank statements like "The number of cigars annually imported into the
U.S.A. is 26,714,811," unless they can be introduced deftly into the
conversation.

You must imagine yourself paying a call in a London drawing-room, and
you must say nothing that would not be possible and indeed suitable in
that _milieu_. To attempt to arouse any interest or show any
intelligence is wrong, but then neither must you betray any sign of
actual imbecility. Anything that approaches gibbering cannot be too
strongly condemned.

The players speak in turn and quotations are not allowed (at least not
from living writers). The question as to whose talk is the smaller of
the two is so much a matter of taste that the game can only be decided
by an umpire or by the votes of the spectators. But there is seldom
much doubt. It is not uncommon for one of the players to break down and
become almost hysterical, and few can hold out long against one of the
champions. Some people allow facial expression and general demeanour to
count, but this I do not recommend. It gives some an unfair advantage,
and I have known it lead to unpleasantness.

Perhaps a short sample will give a better idea of the game than any
description. I take one from a little tournament in which I competed a
few days ago. I was highly commended, but it was thought I displayed a
little too much intelligence. This is one of the pleasing features of
Platitudes; when one loses, things like that are somehow said, as they
are never said, for instance, at Bridge. From this specimen the beginner
will learn the right style and method. Only by study of the best models
and by constant practice can he attain anything like proficiency.

_He._ What a world we live in, do we not? (_This is a very common
opening._)

_She._ Yes, to be sure. Dear, dear!

_He._ The age is so complex, so full of rush and hurry. Everyone is
running after money, are they not?

_She._ They are not. I mean they are.

_He_ (_heaving a sigh_). How sad it is!

_She_ (_in a tone of gentle correction_). It is deplorable. Did you read
Mr. Goldstein's speech the other day? I thought it so sweet! He said
that the possession of wealth entailed great responsibilities.

_He._ How like him! (_After a pause_) And how true! Yes, things are in a
bad way.

_She._ How one deplores these strikes.

_He_ (_sternly_). They ought to be shot.

_She._ Too dreadful. I think it is so terrible when quite nice people
are positively inconvenienced. It makes one think of the French
Revolution.

_He._ Ah! Yes, the French Revolution. Well, well, the good old days are
gone.

_She._ Yes, they have quite gone.

_He_ (_sighing heavily_). Dear, dear, dear, dear! May I have some
teacake?

_She._ Oh do! but I'm afraid they're cold.

_He._ I like them cold. I think they are so much cooler then.

_She._ They are a shade less warm.

[_There was a short interval here when the supporters of each party
gathered round and gave advice and encouragement. The lady seemed as
fresh as a fiddle, but the man was very exhausted and had to have a
spirituous stimulant. After a quarter-of-an-hour's interval the game was
resumed._]

_She._ Look at the fashionable ladies and their dogs! The sums they
lavish on them!

_He._ Oh, it's disgraceful. The Government ought to do something.

_She._ I call it wicked.

_He_ (_much struck with this_). You are quite right.

_She._ But mind you, I'm fond of animals myself.

_He._ Oh, so am I. I dote on dogs. You know, I call the horse a noble
animal--that's what I call the horse.

_She_ (_after a pause_). I call the camel the ship of the desert.

_He._ Ah, very witty, very clever. I see you have a sense of humour.
"Ship of the desert"--that's good.

_She._ Yes, I don't know what I should have done without my sense of
humour.

_He_ (_sharply_). No more do I.

_She_ (_confidentially_). You know, I think dogs should be treated _as_
dogs. They should be kept in their proper places. I like them best in
the country, you know. Don't you?

_He._ Yes. I think the country is the place for all animals. One sees so
many there--at least in some places.

_She._ I am so fond of the country. It is so restful. The old oaks and
the buttercups and the village rector and the dear cows. I don't know
what we should do without them.

_He._ That's what I say. Where would England be without the country?

_She._ Ah, yes. "Far from the madding crowd," as the poet says.

_He._ Yes. What a great poet MILTON is, to be sure.

_She._ Oh, delightful! And don't you like Miss WHEELER WILCOX?

_He._ Of course--ripping, yes, of course. Her poems of pleasure--her
poems of passion, her--well, in fact, all her poems.

_She._ Quite.

At this point the man broke down altogether and began to gibber. But he
recovered in time to see the prize unanimously voted to the lady. This
consisted of a volume of Mr. ----, but perhaps I had better not mention
names; it might be liable to misconstruction. I hope I have said enough
to show what a fascinating and delightful game it is. No appliances are
required (as with dominoes), except one's own nimble brain; and I think
Platitudes will soon sweep the country. Signs are not wanting that
Clumps and Dumb Crambo are already becoming back numbers in the best
circles.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "The military dirigible Koerting made the wound in the leg of Baron
    de Rothschild. It was found to have flattened itself against the
    bone."--_Egyptian Mail._

"The Koerting; so it is," said the Baron, when shown the X-ray
photograph of his calf.

       *       *       *       *       *

TOURS IN FACT AND FANCY.

  Tell me not of Western Islands
    Or some bonnie loch or ben
  Of those hustled haunts, the Highlands;
    I'm not going there again.

  Cease from cackling so cocksurely
    Of some heavenly woodland dell
  Where the pipes of Pan blow purely;
    I have sampled these as well.

  Do not harp upon your hollow
    Tales of Somewhere-by-the-Sea
  Patronised by Ph. Apollo;
    'Tisn't good enough for me.

  No, nor urge me, friend, to hasten
    To your "cloudless alien climes,"
  Hungering for my Fleece like Jason--
    I've been fleeced there many times.

  No, not one of your romances
    Can, I say, provide a lure;
  Not one spot on earth's expanses
    For my ailment find a cure.

  Others may enjoy each jolly day
    Somewhere with their hard-earned pelf;
  But, for me, I want a holiday
    From my super-silly self.

       *       *       *       *       *

THE NUT.

From a story in _Munsey's Magazine_:

    "My father was a clergyman in a college community; and that explains
    my home in a nutshell."

It doesn't. The father should have been a vegetarian in a Garden City
community.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "Captain Roald Amundsen has qualified for his pilot's certificate at
    the military camp near Christiania. An officer of the Flying Corps
    first took him for a preliminary flight round the course, showing
    him what tests were required. Suddenly the elevator broke and the
    aeroplane fell nose downwards to the ground 40 feet below. Captain
    Amundsen escaped unhurt."--_South Wales Echo._

So he got through the first test all right.

       *       *       *       *       *

"SMALL SURREY SCORE.

    ONLY HAYES AND HITCH SHINE AT NORTHAMPTON."

    _Westminster Gazette._

Surrey should have been at home, where HAYES and HITCH would have found
an excellent third in Old Sol, who shone at his best.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "CLACTON.--A Lady would be glad to hear of anyone wishing to Join
    House-Party from August 14th to September 10th. Minute from sea and
    ten golf links."--_Advt. in "Times."_

Personally we find that, at our usual rate of divot-removing, five
golf-links will last us a month. Ten is an unnecessary extravagance.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: _Polite little boy_ (_suffering from repletion_). "OH,
PLEASE MISS, DON'T ASK ME TO HAVE ANY MORE; I CAN'T SAY NO."

       *       *       *       *       *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

(_By Mr. Punch's Staff of Learned Clerks_).

I think I should have detected what was the primary Trouble with _A Lad
of Kent_ (MACMILLAN) if Mr. HERBERT HARRISON had given me any
opportunity of studying _Lord Haresfield_ at closer quarters. Upon the
material vouchsafed it was impossible to spot in him the villain of the
piece; I was only allowed to meet him at two brief interviews,
throughout which he was consistently courteous and kind, with nothing of
the murderer about him. There was, in this connection, not only
_suppressio veri_, but even some _suggestio falsi_; at any rate I still
have great difficulty in believing that a man so obviously intelligent
and diplomatic could have initiated schemes so unnecessarily elaborate
and entirely incompetent for the mere removal of an unknown and
fatherless village youth. I make these observations only as in duty
bound; for myself, I didn't care twopence who was trying to get rid of
_Phillip_, or why. Provided they didn't succeed, I was content to leave
them at it and enjoy the fascinating picture of life in a sea-coast
village in the good old days when everybody was busy either in
preventing or assisting the "free trade" when a press-gang might come
along at any moment and steal a man or two without so much as by your
leave, and, generally speaking, things moved. Mr. HARRISON has a
delightful style, a perfect sympathy with the times of which he writes,
and no small gift of characterization. Frankly, I don't believe he
attaches any more importance to his plot than I do, for he is quite
content to leave it to itself for several chapters on end.

       * * *

_The Double House_ (STANLEY PAUL) began attractively with a retired
Indian colonel who had a mysterious sorrow and wished to betake himself
to some quiet English hamlet "where echoes from his past might never
penetrate." Of course this could hardly be called wise of the Colonel;
the slightest knowledge of quiet English neighbourhoods in fiction or
the drama might have assured him that towards the end of Act I somebody
was simply bound to turn up who knew all. However, he rented one half of
a divided old manor house, and, even when informed that the other half
was inhabited by a widow of quiet habits, he apparently did not share my
own instant certainty that there were coincidences ahead. As a matter of
fact E. EVERETT-GREEN, the author, had so arranged matters that this
lady was the sister-in-law of a wicked murderer, for whose crime the
gallant _Colonel_ had himself been tried. So much for his past; but as a
matter of fact that of the lady was ever so much more sinister. She had,
it appeared, married a gentleman called _Paul Enderby_, only to learn
after the ceremony that her husband had a twin-brother _Saul_, who must
have been the twinniest twin that ever breathed, since at no moment
could any living soul tell the two apart. I won't harrow you with
details, but the confusion was such that, even after the unlamented
decease of _Paul_, poor bewildered _Mrs. Enderby_ was by no means sure
that she wasn't only a bereaved sister-in-law. Her sad plight reminded
me of nothing so much as that of the lady in _Engaged_ who entreated to
have three questions answered: "Am I a widow, and if so how came I to be
a widow, and whose widow came I to be?" The great difference between the
two cases is that this of _Mrs. Enderby_ is meant to be taken with
solemnity--a task that I regret to add was too heavy for me. I am only
sorry that so charming a title as _The Double House_ has been so sadly
wasted.

       * * *

If a wicked male novelist had dared to write _Jacynth_ (CONSTABLE) I
tremble to imagine the things that certain fair critics would have said
about him. But since a woman is the creator, and one, moreover, with the
well-won reputation of Miss STELLA CALLAGHAN, what is there to say?
After all she must know. As a portrait of futility, _Jacynth_ is the
most mercilessly realistic thing that I have met for some time. Pretty,
brainless, egotistical, utterly unable ever to understand even the least
of the men who loved her--this was _Jacynth_. The picture is so
unsparing that (though I am not calling the book a masterpiece or free
from dull moments) the very completeness of the dreadful thing
fascinates you unwillingly. _Jacynth_ was the typical product of a
seaside town, where she was adored by two men--a young squire and a
famous novelist. I was just a little bored by her beginnings, especially
when she sprained her ankle--a gambit I had imagined _démodé_ even with
the most provincial of heroines. However, _Jacynth_ married the
novelist, and after the honeymoon settled down to a steady course of
fatuousness and general interference with his work which presently
reduced the poor man to exasperation, and finally constrained him to
pack her off on a prolonged visit to the seaside home of her maidenhood.
After that _Jacynth_ went from worse to worst; too preposterous a fool
even to be greatly moved when she brought tragedy into the lives of
those who came under her malign influence. I will not follow her
vicissitudes in detail. Throughout the book the most sinister thing in
her story was to me the fact that a woman had written it. Moreover I
have a lurking suspicion that the portrait is no imaginary one. Perhaps
this is a high tribute to Miss CALLAGHAN'S skill; it certainly is meant
to be a compliment to her courage.

       * * *

  I've often longed to come upon
    Some giant spoor and dog the track till
  I ran to earth a mastodon,
    A dinosaur, a pterodactyl;
  But I supposed my natal date--
    However distantly I view it--
  Was several thousand years too late
    To give me any chance to do it.

  And yet Sir ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
    Has found a man who's penetrated
  Through bush and swamp on virgin soil
    And seen the things I've indicated,
  Creatures with names that clog your pen--
    Dimorphodon and plesiosaurus--
  And carried home a specimen
    To silence any doubting chorus.

  In _The Lost World_[A] the tale is told
    (SMITH, ELDER do it cheap) in diction
  So circumstantial that its hold
    Is more than that of common fiction;
  If you can run the story through,
    By aid of portraits when you need it,
  And not be half convinced it's true,
    You simply don't deserve to read it.

[Footnote A: New Edition, with illustrations.]

       * * *

There is nothing wrong with Mr. EDEN PHILLPOTTS' latest collection of
short stories, _The Judge's Chair_ (MURRAY), but there is something
vigorously to protest against upon the wrapper that covers them. For
there I found an uncompromising statement to the effect that these
stories "bring to a conclusion the author's Dartmoor work," and no
sooner had I read it than my heart sank into my heels. Solemnly I plead
with him to reconsider this decision, for if he does not his innumerable
admirers will be deprived of something almost as annual and quite as
enjoyable as Christmas. If he wants a holiday let him have one by all
means, though personally I was not pleased when he left Dartmoor for
Italy. But let it be only a holiday, a break in his real business. As
for the book, I advise everyone who can appreciate dry humour and quaint
philosophy to sit behind _The Judge's Chair_. "The Two Farmers" is in
its way a masterpiece, grim and very real, and there is not the ghost of
a sign in the whole collection that Mr. PHILLPOTTS has written of
Dartmoor until he is tired of it or it of him. He has made a niche for
himself in that old temple of Nature, and we must all try to persuade
him to stay there.

       * * *

I have been reading a book, written by the Rev. H. S. PELHAM, and
published by MACMILLAN, which is at least twenty times as absorbing and
moving as any novel. It is called _The Training of a Working Boy_. I
daresay you may have met with other volumes on something like the same
theme before, and may suppose you know all about camps and evening
schools and blind-alley employment and the rest of it. But I am pretty
well sure that you have read nothing more practical and human on the
questions of boydom. It is, indeed, the humanity, sympathetic and more
than half humorous, of Mr. PELHAM'S attitude that gives his book its
appeal and incidentally, I fancy, explains his success with the object
of it. His little volume is a plea for personal rather than pecuniary
help, and is directed more especially to Midlanders, since its chief
concern is with the boy population of Birmingham. I can only wish for it
the largest possible number of readers in the shires and elsewhere,
since to read it is inevitably to be moved to active sympathy.

       *       *       *       *       *

Illustration: THIS PICTURE ILLUSTRATES THE DEADLY STRUGGLE WHICH GOES
ON DAILY BETWEEN RIVAL SEASIDE RESORTS. IT REPRESENTS A PARTY OF
HIRELINGS IN THE PAY OF WOBBLETHORPE-ON-SEA ENGAGED IN RUNNING UP THE
RAINFALL OF LITTLE BLINKINGTON.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "The selection of a player for the leading _rôle_, that of Pallas
    Athene, the beautiful goddess of Greek mythology, was successfully
    accomplished when Miss Genevieve Clark, the pretty and vivacious
    daughter of Speaker Clark, consented to take the part. Those who
    know Miss Clark and Greek mythology will realise at once that there
    will be a natural affinity between the player and the character."

    _Washington (D. C.) Post._

We never actually met Pallas Athene, but have always heard of her as
being neither very pretty nor vivacious.

       *       *       *       *       *





*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, July 8, 1914" ***

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