Lord HALSBURY, who took to golf when he was over eighty and has only recently given it up, writes:  “The bigger the better ’ole.”

On the other hand, Dr. Scroggie Park, of Kilspindie, strongly advocates the abolition of the hole altogether and the substitution of a bell, as in the old form of croquet.  But, as he wisely adds, variety, not cast-iron uniformity should be our aim.  The principle of self-determination should in his opinion be conceded to all properly constituted golf clubs.

Lord BIRKENHEAD is all for maintaining the status quo in regard to holes and greens, but takes up a strong attitude on the improvement of the water-supply.  In this respect golf-architecture has hitherto been sadly to seek.  There should, he says, be at least one bathroom for every twenty members.

We are obliged to hold over for the present the views expressed on this burning question by Dame MELBA, Madame KARSAVINA and Madame DESTINNOVA.

* * * * *

    “A departure from the bridal custom frequently noted since the
    war, of having man bridesmaids, is being made by Lady Diano
    Manners.”—­Provincial Paper.

We had not previously noted this custom, but are glad that Lady DIANO—­whose name also is new to us—­is dispensing with it.

* * * * *

  An ex-Waac domestic named Mary Ann
  Took a place with a strict vegetarian;
       He cautioned her, too,
       That beer was taboo,
  But she simply replied, "Ca ne fait rien. “

* * * * *

[Illustration:  He.  “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO BY WAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION?”

She.  “MY DEAR BOY, WHAT CAN ONE DO, EXCEPT JUST CARRY ON?”]

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

(By Mr. Punch’s Staff of Learned Clerks.)

Mr. Standfast (HODDER AND STOUGHTON) is the third book of the super-spy trilogy that Colonel JOHN BUCHAN has given us, as a kind of supplement to his more official record of the War.  We have the same hero, Hannay, as in Greenmantle and The Thirty-Nine Steps, the same group of associates, reinforced for purposes of love-interest by a young and attractive female, and the same arch-Hun, now identified as the Graf von Schwabing.  Also the affair pursues much the same hide-and-seek course that gave the former adventures their deserved popularity.  I entirely decline even to sketch the manifold vicissitudes of Hannay (now a General), tracking and being tracked, captive and captor, ranging the habitable and non-habitable globe, always (with a fine disregard for the requirements of book-making) convinced that the next chapter will be the last.  Three criticisms I cannot avoid.  To begin with, Colonel BUCHAN is really becoming too lavish with his coincidences.