“Good-night,” they said; “we’re glad you’ve enjoyed yourself.”

Holder was a little hoarse, for he is a generous host.  I think too the motor run had tired them both, for their faces were again a little haggard; and the wind had brought tears to the eyes of Mrs. Holder.

So I said good-bye to them—­and to Jack, their elder boy, whom they will never see again.  He lies in France.  But, you understand, it was as if he had been with us all again for a little while that evening.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  MORE ADVENTURES OF A POST-WAR SPORTSMAN.

CHANCING, ON THE WAY HOME, TO COME UPON HOUNDS WHEN THEY HAVE JUST KILLED, HE PROPOSES TO SECURE THE BRUSH FOR MRS. P.-W.S., BUT CONCLUDES THAT UPON THE WHOLE IT WOULD BE BETTER TO BUY ONE IN TOWN.]

* * * * *

HOPE FOR POSTERITY.

  Full many a year has waxed and waned
    And sunk into its shroud
  Since that first day that I obtained
    A diary and vowed
  To keep (as I informed my wife)
  “The Records of a Simple Life.”

  Within it I resolved to state,
    Like Mr. PEPYS of yore,
  The things that I, for instance, ate
    And she, my Mary, wore,
  Facts that would have a curious worth
  When I was famed and—­under earth.

  And generations yet unborn
    Would feel a thrill to note
  How I upon an April morn
    Left off my overcoat,
  Or showed a pardonable spleen
  At having missed the 9.16.

  Nine volumes I’ve commenced at least
    To write with eager pen;
  The first, I note, abruptly ceased
    On January 10,
  While yesteryear the break occurred,
  I think, upon the 23rd.

  But this year, I am proud to see,
    Stands not as others stood;
  The prospects of posterity
    Are really rather good,
  Now that my zeal (not on the ebb)
  Has borne me safely into Feb.

* * * * *

MUSICAL AMENITIES.

The connection of occultism with music was recently discussed by Mr. CYRIL SCOTT in his interesting volume on Modernism in Music.  It is satisfactory to know that the subject is not to be allowed to drop.  Grave discontent is rife in orchestral circles at the monopoly enjoyed at spiritualist seances by the tambourine, and it is reported that Mr. ERNEST NEWMAN, the distinguished and outspoken musical critic, will shortly deliver a public lecture on behalf of the admission of other instruments to these mysteries, and in particular the tuba.  The claim of the tuba, Mr. NEWMAN holds, is not only based on the profundity of its tones, but upon long literary tradition.  Nothing could be more conclusive than the reference in the old Latin hymn:—­

  “Tuba mirum spargens sonum
  Per sepulcra regionum.”

It is anticipated that the discussion will be attended by Signor MARCONI, Lord DUNSANY, Mr. YEATS and Lieutenant JONES, the author of The Road to En-Dor.