y. Without hesitation
every Government must accept that challenge.' 'Certainly we will,'
retorted the Prime Minister."--_Evening Paper._

No wonder Mr. LLOYD GEORGE wants a holiday if he has begun to talk to
himself.

* * * * *

"A telegram from Paris says: It is announced here that an agreement has
been concluded between France, Great Britain and Italy regarding the
delimitation of the open golf championship."--_Provincial Paper._

It will be noticed that America seems once more to have held aloof from the
councils of the Allies.

* * * * *

"TO HIM THAT HATH ..."

It was Butterington who first put me up to the idea. I asked him a simple
question about the habits of the Sigalion Boa, a certain worm in whose ways
I was taking an interest at the time, and he at once replied that he
himself was not in the fur line.

"Whenever," he went on, "I require information on any subject I apply to my
bank. Why don't you do the same?"

This opened up an entirely new prospect. To me my bank was an institution
which kept my accounts, issued money and, on occasion, lent it. It never
entered my head that it was also ready to perform the functions of an
inquiry office and information bureau.

Previous communications from me had always begun, "Sir, with reference to
my overdraft"--you know the sort of thing one generally writes to banks;
expostulating, tactful, temporising letters.

This time however I addressed them in different vein. Rejecting all mention
of overdrafts as being in doubtful taste, I wrote:--

SIR,--I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly inform me, at your
early convenience:

(1) Whether it is a fact that the African rhinoceros has no hair on the
hind legs?

(2) Whether, in the case of my backing Pegasus in the first race, 'any to
come' on Short Time in the fourth, and Short Time not starting, I am
entitled to my winnings over Pegasus?

(3) Whether, after perusing seventeen favourable reports from mining
engineers and eighty-seven enthusiastic directors' speeches, I am justified
in assuming that gold actually does exist in the Bonanzadorado mine?

Yours faithfully,

THESIGER CHOLMONDELEY BEAUCHAMP.

After some delay they answered as follows:--

SIR,--We have much pleasure in replying to the queries contained in your
favour, of the 27th ult.:--

(1) Yes; (2) Yes; (3) No.

Assuring you always of our best