* * * * *

    “BLACK CATS’ STRIKE THREAT.”

    Heading in a Sunday Paper of a report of a demand made by
    Viennese clerks for doubled salaries.

For “CATS’,” read “COATS’.” O the diff! as WORDSWORTH said.

* * * * *

    “Retriever Wanted; steady good worker:  retrieve feather or
    fur, land or water.”—­Provincial Paper.

The exile of Amerongen could do with one of this breed.

* * * * *

    “The act of the donor suggests the lines: 

      “’How far doth that little candle throw its beams
      On like a good deed in a naughty world.’”
                                             Daily Graphic.

The author’s name is not given, but we do not think he has improved much on SHAKSPEARE.

* * * * *

THE YEOMAN TRANSFORMED.

    [In accordance with the new Territorial organisation some
    famous Yeomanry Regiments are to become Motor Machine-Gun
    Units.]

  Can a horseman turn from his heart’s desire at the stroke of a
          statesman’s pen? 
  Can we learn to fight from a motor-car—­we who were mounted men? 
  In a petrol-tank and a sparking-plug shall we strive to put our
          trust,
  And hang our spurs as a souvenir to gather reproachful rust?

  Shall we never again ride knee to knee in the pomp of squadron line,
  With head-ropes white as a mountain drift and curb chains all
          a-shine? 
  Will they dawn no more, those glorious days when the world seemed
          all our own,
  Who rode as scouts on an errant quest, alive, alert, alone?

  Can a man be made by a motor-car as a man is made by a horse,
  With strength in his back and legs and arms, and a brain of swift
          resource? 
  We cared for our mounts before ourselves, their thirst before our
          thirst;
  Shall we come to learn, with the same content, to think of an
          engine first?

  Grousing enough.  Though times have changed a man may be needed yet. 
  Shall we stand aloof in an idle dream to nourish a vain regret? 
  Whatever England may ask of us our service must be hers;
  And a horseman’s quality ’s in his heart and not in a pair of spurs.

W.K.H.

* * * * *

THE GREAT MUTTON CAMPAIGN.

The recent disclosures concerning the enormous stocks of frozen mutton held by the Ministry of Food—­some of it killed two years ago—­have put the Government on their mettle, and a vigorous campaign is now in preparation with the object of inducing the public to assist in the disposal of these overgrown supplies.  Mr. Punch, being in touch with sources of information not accessible to the general Press, has been able to secure an advance copy of a popular appeal Which is about to be issued broadcast by the Government.  It runs as follows:—­