* * * * *

    “Music was supplied and enjoyed by a local
    orchestra.”—­Provincial Paper.

This phenomenon has frequently been observed; the audience meanwhile continuing its conversation.

* * * * *

    “Colonel Sir Rhys Williams, who wore his khaki uniform, moved
    the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne....

    It was not the glamour of war, Mr. Rhys Williams
    continued....”—­Evening Standard.

It is refreshing to come across a case of really rapid demobilisation.

* * * * *

    “A message from Vienna states that the Emperor Carl intends to
    be a candidate in the forthcoming elections for the Australian
    National Assembly.”—­Australian Paper.

But there is no truth in the rumour that, by way of reprisal, Mr. HUGHES intends to put in for CARL’s vacant throne.

* * * * *

RIME FAIRIES.

  Last night about the country-side
    The nimble fairies flew,
  And forests on the latticed pane
    In quaint devices drew,
  The grasses standing straight and tall,
    The ferns with curious frond,
  And just a peephole left to show
    The misty world beyond.

  The voices of the murmuring streams
    They silenced one by one,
  And bound their feet with gleaming chains
    So they no more could run;
  They hung the icicles about,
    And you would laugh to see
  Just how they flung the diamonds down
    Upon the whole bare tree;
  And every little blade of grass
    A thing of beauty stood,
  And when they’d finished it was just
    Like an enchanted wood.

  They paused beside the old barn door;
    A spider’s web hung there
  As fragile as a little dream,
    As delicate and fair;
  They decked it with a thousand gems
    Of oh! such dazzling sheen,
  It was the very loveliest thing
    That you have ever seen!

  The sun from his soft bed of cloud
    Came pale and timidly;
  He knew if he let loose his rays
    The mischief there would be;
  He woke the sleeping world to life
    With finger-tips of gold,
  And up from meadow, wood and stream
    The shimmering mists unrolled;
  He lit the candles of the dawn
    On every bush and tree;
  The fairies on their homing wings
    Looked back and laughed with glee,
  “We’ve made a Fairyland for you,
    O Mortals, wake and see.”

* * * * *

    “It is also extremely likely that the Democrats have induced
    a considerable number of former Centre voters in South Germany
    to join them.”—­Christian World.

“Democrats” would seem to be the German equivalent of “Home Rulers.”