signal lights and awaits
confidently the arrival of the German fleet.]

[Illustration: Sir E. J. Poynter, Bt., P.R.A. The shell-worker's mid-day
rest.]

[Illustration: W. Orpen, A.R.A. and A. S. Cope, R.A. _Lord Spencer._
"Not bad, but I fancy I take _The Tailor and Cutter's_ prize."]

[Illustration: This is not in the Academy, but represents the Spirit of
Allegory luring ambitious artists to their doom.]

* * * * *

"WHEN THE BOYS COME HOME."

[Illustration: Many women who are taking over men's work may not feel
inclined to return to their former occupations after the War. Their work
in that case will have to be done by men.

Ex-soldiers Waiting in the Consulting-boom of Their Panel Doctor To Be
Treated for "housemaid's Knee."]

[Illustration: Male nurse receiving the glad eye from a military
man-killer.]

* * * * *

THE SOLDIER'S SPRING.

On stormy days I get quite warlike;
I find it easy to be fierce
In winter, when the land is more like
The Arctic Pole, with winds that pierce;
With James for foe and all the meadows mired
I feel in concord with the wildest plan,
And grudge no effort that may be required
To enfilade the man.

But now how hard, when Spring is active,
To utter anything but purrs;
With all the hillside so attractive
How can one concentrate on "spurs"?
And oh, I sympathise with that young scout
Whom anxious folk sent forth to spy the foe,
But he came back and cried, "_The lilac's out_!
And that is all I know."

They ask me things about my picket,
And whether I'm in touch with whom;
I want to lie in yonder thicket,
I only wish to touch the bloom;
And when men agitate about their flanks
And say their left is sadly in the air,
I hear the missel-thrush and murmur, "Thanks,
I wish that I was there."

When we extend and crawl in grim rows,
I want to go and wander free;
I deviate to pluck a primrose,
I stay behind to watch a bee;
Nor have the heart to keep the men in line,
When some have lingered where the squirrels leap,
And some are busy by the eglantine,
And some are sound asleep.

And always I am filled with presage
That, some fair noon of balmy airs,
I shall indite a rude Field Message
If Colonels pry in m