be left in suspense. I can only say that if the Marquis of mental. The leading character is a village worthy, one Meadshire eventually applies for Katie Brown I shall for- Mrs. Kidston, ex-nurse at the Hall, whose present abode, bid the banns, for Katie is charming, and the Marquis The Tollhouse, gives its name to the book. This Mrs. cannot safely be left within half-a-furlong of a bottle of Kidston is an excellent person. In the year before the whisky. War it had been her proud privilege to visit London and see the state procession at the opening of Parliament. For quite a long time I hoped that Miss ISABEL C. CLARKE There she was further witness of the breakdown of the was enjoying, doubtless at my expense, a laugh which German Ambassador's state coach, an incident subsequently eventually in her mercy she would invite me to share. exalted by her to the dignity of an "omen." The worst of Then, particularly if I could have secured a vicarious The Tollhouse, as of all War-tales published to-day, is that, revenge by working the jest off on you, I should have felt as the main plot is concerned with the punishment of she was within her rights and all would have ended well. Germany, one has to break off with the villain still at But unfortunately in Whose Name is Legion (HUTCHINSON) large. There are, however, subsidiary happenings, whose the laugh never turns up, for as the plot develops there nuptial termination pleasantly ends an attractive, if rather becomes ever more relentlessly apparent a serious purpose undistinguished, little book, which may be of some value of a quite unusually alarming character. Even if one as a record of our contemporary life, in the happier days cannot altogether acquit the authoress of applying her when it shall have ceased to be contemporary. study in demonology to an end of sensation (though after all she had to do something to keep things moving) the fact remains that she has set

out to light a flaring
beacon, a warning away
from Spiritualism and a
call towards Rome, there
being, it would seem, no
other path of which she
has ever heard. Whatever
the merits of her opinions,
there they are beyond mis-
take; and that is no matter
for legitimate grumbling.
All the same I doubt
whether, even if you ac-
cept her positions, you will
read to the end without a
considerable degree of irri-
tation. One would have
thought that in the long
intervals of small talk
between the lurid patches
there might be ample
opportunity for neatly
tidying-up the odd threads
of narrative, but the truth
is that the writer's treat-
ment of her subject is so crude and slipshod that, as a
story, it really does not hang together at all; and so the
self-complacency of her assumptions goes unredeemed.
Possession by evil spirits is, to put it mildly, a theme to
be approached with discretion, and I cannot say that Miss
CLARKE has shown much competence for so delicate a task.
Her book is neither very readable nor very wholesome.

I cannot believe that Messrs. HUTCHINSON AND CO. would

give anything but an honest and unbiassed opinion of any book which appeared under their imprint; so, when they say of The Gillingham Rubies that it is "brightened by innumerable touches of Mr. EDGAR JEPSON'S incomparable humour," I can only suppose that they share with the friends of Mr. Peter Magnus the delightful quality of being easily amused; for, speaking for myself, I found that Mr. JEPSON'S humour did very little by way of brightening a story which certainly needed all the brightening it could get. I am disappointed in Mr. JEPSON. There was a time, after the appearance of that jovial fale of his where the villains spent their spare moments performing human sacrifices in the back garden of a suburban house, when I fancied that he was about to give the world a new sort of sensation novel. But the promise of that story has never been maintained, and The Gillingham Rubies is rather poor stuff. I have an idea that Mr. JEPSON is taking too little trouble over these part humorous, part sensational novels of his. It is true that they are not particularly exalted literature, but that is no reason why he should not pay a reasonable amount of attention to style and characterdrawing. It looks as if Mr. JEPSON did not hold a high enough opinion of this book to read twice what he had written, and I am bound to say that, if that is the case, I can sympathise with him. I should not care to have to read The Gillingham Rubies twice myself. But it is nice to think of Messrs. HUTCHINSON AND Co. chuckling over it.

MR. BROWN-ORPINGTON TAKES PRECAUTIONS IN VIEW OF A POSSIBLE
ZEPPELIN RAID. AN EVENING SCENE IN THE POULTRY-RUN.

The Tollhouse (SMITH, ELDER) is a War story, inasmuch as it treats of English life since last August; but, being entirely simple and unambitious, it succeeds where others of more ambitious scope have failed. Miss EVELYN ST. LEGER has written of an English village society of the older and still feudal style, dominated by the squire, and with the others, from parson downwards, respectively in their proper stations. She shows how these placid folk, preparing for the mild gaieties of a rustic August-cricket matches, Primrose League gatherings and the like-were overtaken by the bewildering upheaval of their ordered -existence; and she traces the course of their changed lives through the months that followed. I have said that the book is pleasantly simple. At its best there is a touch of Cranford about the style of it. But in places I will not deny that the captious may find it a little sugary and senti

From an article on "The Way to End the War":

"There would be no need to wait until we had reached an aerial

strength of, say, ten or twenty thousand machines. With two or
three thousand, which could be turned out in as many months, our
new aerial army could get busy."-Daily Dispatch.
Even so, it seems that we must wait for a century or two
before the War in the Air can start in earnest.

CHARIVARIA.

WE are requested to state that Lord FISHER'S new post-Chairman of the Board of Inventions-in no way tallies that filled by the Managing Director of WOLFF'S News Bureau in Germany.

A contemporary, in drawing atten- The way in which some papers are tion to the disappearance of the top- always having their knife into hat in London, prophesies its reappear- sportsmen is really a little unfair. For ance after the War. We must say that example, here's The Grimsby News, in we think it very wrong of an influential an article on Canon QUIRK, winding up journal thus to hold out an inducement with the remark, "It is questionable for prolonging the War. whether he knows what it is to quarrel with anyone. He is a keen sportsman nevertheless."

**
**

A little while ago, we are told, the KAISER asked his favourite journalist what he thought about Italy, and

**
*

**

*

We are glad to see that Dr. F. C. CONYBEARE has withdrawn his nasty Dr. FISHER, medical superintendent remarks about Sir EDWARD GREY. Sir GANGHOFER answered, "Your Majesty, of Shoreditch Infirmary, stated last EDWARD Will now return to the Foreign it is best for Austria and for us to week that measles is the most dangerOffice without a slur on his character. make Italy a clean house." To this ous epidemic in this country. Surely the KAISER said, "You are right, the time has now arrived to give this Mr. PHILIP SNOWDEN moved an Ganghofer." So the Austrian and disease a more impressive name. amendment to the National Registration Bill, describing the measure as "an unwarrantable interference with the personal liberty of the people.". We sincerely trust that this legislator has got a binding undertaking from the KAISER that, if his Huns come over, there will be no unwarrantable interference of the sort referred to.

The King of ITALY, according to the Gazzetta del Popolo, recently climbed into a church belfry to watch the positions f the combatants at the Front, and remarked, "The House of Savoy likes a good front seat in the Theatre of War." Tastes vary. The House of Hohenzollern prefers the gallery.

*

Writing in the Berliner Tageblatt Major MORAHT says that great difficulty is being experienced by the Germans in getting an adequate water supply in Northern ChamÀ pagne. propos of this an indignant wine expert writes to us:- "Only barbarians

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THESE

tide). "ARE YE TAKIN' ANY
First Trawler Skipper, (to friend who is due to sail by next
SUBMARINES, JOCK?"

Second Skipper. "AY! ALTHOUGH I'VE AYE BEEN IN THE
HABIT O' CARRYIN' MY BITS O' BAWBEES WI' ME, I WENT AN'
BANKIT THEM THIS MORNIN', AN' I'M NO TAKIN' MA BEST
OILSKINS OR MA NEW SEABOOTS."

First Skipper. "OH, YOU'RE A' RICHT, THEN. YE'LL HAE

PRACTICALLY NAETHIN' TAE LOSE BUT YER LIFE."

The German officer, GUNTHER PLUSCHOW, who escaped from Donnington Hall last week, can be identified, we are told, by a Chinese dragon which is tattooed on his left arm. It is thought, therefore, that it is unlikely that he is going about disguised as a little girl in short sleeves.

**

Death in the Cup.

"The German forces surrendered absolutely unconditionally yesterday. General Botha presented an ultimatum to the Commander, which expired at tea-time yesterday."-Reuter.

would think of watering Champagne." | German Ambassadors were withdrawn | We presume that the Germans, by force

**

At times we are frankly puzzled to

from Italy.

know what to make of the Germans. Mr. JOHN COLLIER'S exhibition at
We used to think that they lacked the Leicester Galleries does not contain
humour, and yet read this from a single problem picture. The reason
the Neueste Nachrichten :-"Our foes
ask themselves continuously, How can
we best get at Germany's vital parts?
What are her most vulnerable points ?
The answer is, her humanity-her
trustful honesty."

A curious result of the War, it is As the result of a letter from Sir pointed out, is the fact that our FREDERICK TREVES the anti-fly camactresses are now being photographed paign is being prosecuted with renewed with their mouths shut. One would vigour, though some (including the have thought that at such a time all flies) are still of the opinion that we British subjects ought to show their should be better advised to wage one teeth. war at a time.

of habit, had poisoned its drink.

Altruism.

"10s. Reward for little White Dog, lost from 5, Lake Road.-If not returned please call for the licence."-Portsmouth Evening News.

"After eleven months of war, there is not a

German port outside of Europe, except in the
Baltic and North Sea."

Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
It was always expected that the War
would alter the map of Europe.

"Switzerland is prohibiting the export of soft and second quality hard cheese next autumn and winter, and first quality cheese (Gruyere, etc.) will only be allowed to leave the country under control."-Evening News. Cavalry escorts will be provided for the more active varieties.

WANTED: A CENSOR OF THE HOUSE.

You little folk-just voices, nothing more-
Who love to figure on the Chamber floor,
Wallow in sentiments of Teuton tint
And see your prattle reproduced in print;
Here in these islands, on your native sward,
We know you (not in person, thank the Lord),
And on the advertising space you fill
Can put its proper value, which is nil.
But yonder, in your friend the enemy's land,
Where nobody begins to understand-

Where Truth's imbibed from very ancient founts
And still they think a politician counts-
Where those who judge us have no measuring-span
Whereby to tell a midget from a man-
Out there the Press reports your childish chatter
As though it fell from mouths that really matter,
And Berlin says: "They grope without a guide
Now that the expert, A, has come our side;
Or "Britain's Empire crumbles at a touch-
Her leading statesman, B, has said as much."
And Huns who never heard your names till now
Suck it all in and wear a radiant brow,
Crying, "Turn on the gas! Our Gott begins
His tardy punishment of England's sins!"
Records of shining courage, such as spur
Limp hearts to action, frequently incur
The india-rubber of the Press Bureau
Lest they afford a wrinkle to the foe;
But you, who give us words in lieu of deeds,
Content to blather while your country bleeds-
Who with an envious malice ply your mission
Of carping at a patriot Coalition,
Of hounding with the old sectarian hate
The men whose only party is the State-
No Censor has the pluck, it seems, to tackle
The copious spout of your putrescent cackle;
At large it spreads for enemy eyes to view
And, viewing, picture England torn in two.
Had I my way for just a little spell,

I would expunge your words and you as well,
Who by your alien tricks have fairly earned
The Anglo-Bosch's right to be interned.

O. S.

RUNNING THE WAR. [After the bland method of Mr. ARNOLD BENNETT every week in "The Daily News."]

allow me to put it before them in its true light. There are, as we now know-some of us-three important and imminent developments which are calculated to end the international job suddenly at any moment. The first is known to every one; the second is still the secret of the higher command (and myself); the third is known only to me. But there they are. A Tory lady of my acquaintance, -yes, a Tory lady-recently used these words to me: " we don't win this War we shall lose it, and that means that we shall be defeated, and Germany will be victorious." I assured her that I would rather be sneered at as an Optimist than hold such reactionary views as these.

If

The Government have more than once had from me (as my readers know) words of warm encouragement and approbation. I repeat that they are an incomparable body of Ministers who have consistently shown the greatest genius in handling this War-that is, this international job. At the same time they are continually perpetrating criminal blunders, and that is where I come in. It is imperative that I should keep setting them right. I have (as I have repeatedly remarked) a very large correspondence nowadays about social matters. And I am always at it. You wouldn't believe. Only last Tuesday I visited a girls' school in Sevenoaks, where a proposal had been mooted to teach the elder pupils to make respirators; and not long ago a special friend of mine, who is a leading Trade Unionist, personally conducted me over an engineering shop in Bolton. So I have the whole thing at my fingers' ends. And I emphatically warn the Government that some things need altering.

The country is united and will stand as one man behind the Cabinet in any step which they decide to take. And yet my own private opinion is that there are certain steps (of which I strongly disapprove) which, if taken, would split the country from top to bottom. I say advisedly that there are forces at work.

Instances can be given in my own neighbourhood. I find it better to give these personal instances which come under one's own eye simply because they are of such extraordinary general interest. Last week an elderly lady connected with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society called and interviewed my cook, whose husband is in the A.S.C. (Let me say at once that the S. & S. H. Society is doing magnificent work of a far-reaching nature. I have ascertained that fact for myself. I made a special point of dropping in not long ago to have a talk with the local secretary. I impressed him very favourably). My cook was subjected to the closest cross-examination as to whether in the absence of her husband she was well fed and cared for in my house. Now that wants altering.

Take again the case of Bob Higgs. He is a great friend I APPEAR to have been sharply brought to book in sundry of mine. I know him well. He is an agricultural labourer. high places for an observation which I made in this He tells me he was twenty-three on the 18th of May last. column last Friday, namely, that I anticipated that the I should say that he is unmarried and has red hair and War would be over in about three weeks. Exception was always fills his pipe with his left hand; 5ft. 8ins., the taken in the same quarter to my contention that it wasn't eldest (living) of a family of five. He had a dispute with so much a war as an international job. I can only say his employer about wages and made up his mind to enlist. that, as my readers are surely well aware by this time, I (I need hardly say that the employer was quite in the know all about it, and more than that I mean to go on wrong; employers always are, though I hasten to add writing about it. A man can't always be writing novels--that they have one and all shown magnificent patriotism that is the truth about an author. If I must once again in the present crisis). Four times Higgs tried to pass produce my credentials I may add that I approach the the doctor, and every time he failed. So he is forced to problem with that expert and well-grounded knowledge stay at home. That wants altering, though candidly I of European warfare which is the fruit of a life-long don't quite see how it is to be altered, as Bob Higgs has study of the social conditions of the Five Towns. We only one eye. have had too much of the fatuous din of experts. This is Our war.

Some of my many friends call me an Optimist, but I can only ask them to look at the matter squarely, or rather to

Meanwhile there is an international job to finish and we must get on with it. The German line in the West is still unbroken, and they are pushing forward in the East. That wants altering.

MR. PUNCH. "THESE SELF-ADVERTISING PRO-GERMANS MAKE ME SICK. WANT IS A CENSORSHIP OF PARLIAMENTARY REPORTS."

WHAT WE