has been caused among the pessimists (who have declared
that this will be a long War) by the recent statement of M. Louis
RABOURDIN, the French scientist, that in five thousand years the world
will be uninhabited.

***

A solicitor has been arrested in Ireland under the Defence of the
Realm Act for refusing to give away the confidential correspondence
of his client. The suggestion that a lawyer should be required to
give away anything has aroused a storm of indignant protest in both
branches of the profession.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Lady_ (_who has been damaged by motor-car_). "I SEZ TO
THE SHOVER, I SEZ, 'YOU MAY 'AVE AN ENGLISH NIME, BUT YOUR CONDUCK'S
TOOTON.'"]

* * * * *

"ARGENTINE MEAT SHIPMENTS.

The only shipment of mutton to the Continent during the week
was 18,000 quarters of beef to France."--_Sheffield Daily
Telegraph_.

Even the oxen in neutral countries are feeling a little sheepish.

* * * * *

"A large section of the city will find its water supply rather
intermittent in consequence of a burst of the Rivington water
main at Twig-lane, Huyton, near Prescot. The main has an
internal diameter of forty-four miles."--_Liverpool Paper_.

What an awful bore!

* * * * *

"SEVENTEEN-YEAR LOCUSTS TO APPEAR NEXT SUMMER.

State Collee, Pa, Dec. 11.--The 17-yearg lgocgugsgt is due to
appear agagingg gnext summer, according to C.H. Hadley, Jr.,
an entomo-legeggggbmn TTMMggggob rr . . j Eas logist at the
Pennsylvania State College."--_Erie Daily Times_.

The news has had a decidedly discomposing effect already.

* * * * *

"A gamble with death in the Strand--seeing that the stake
is precisely the same--should be quite as enthralling as a
hairbreadth 'scape on the plains of Texas, even though
the gambler wears a top-hat instead of sheepskin
trousers."--_Manchester Guardian_.

The writer understates the case. The substitution of a top-hat for
trousers would add a piquancy of its own to the situation.

* * * * *

FAITH AND DOUBT IN THE FATHERLAND.

News of triumph, very cheering,
Fills our marrows full of sap,
News of FALKENHAYN careering
Right across Roumania's map,
Tales of corn to swell our tummie