When Spring is coming in,
To roll down every Eastern road a-booming to Berlin!

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE TEMPTATIONS OF A SOLDIER.

_Fond Mother (who has just seen her son, a very youthful subaltern,
off to the front)._ "I GOT HIM AWAY FROM HIS FATHER FOR A MOMENT
AND SAID TO HIM, 'DARLING, DON'T GO TOO NEAR THE FIRING-LINE, WILL
YOU?'"]

* * * * *

NEW YEAR NOVELTIES.

THE STRATEGIST'S MUZZLE.--For use in the Home--the Club--the Railway
Train. Fitted with best calf leather gag--easily attached--efficiency
guaranteed, 4_s._ 11_d._ With chloroform attachment for violent cases,
8_s._ 11_d._ BELLOC size, 22_s._ 6_d._

Recommended by the Censor.

THE ALLIES' MUSICAL BOX.--Beautifully decorated in all the national
colours. A boon to organizers of war concerts. Plays all the National
Anthems of the Allies simultaneously, thus allowing the audience to
keep their seats for the bulk of the evening. A blessing to wounded
soldiers and rheumatic subjects. 10_s._ 11_d._ carriage paid.

THE COIN DETECTOR.--This ingenious little contrivance rings a bell
once when brought within a yard of silver coins and twice when in the
proximity of gold coins. Absolutely indispensable to collectors for
Relief Funds. 2_s._ 11-1/2_d._ post free.

Testimonial from Lady Isobel Tompkins:--

"Since using your invaluable detector in my collecting work I
understand that there has been quite a run on the banks and
post-offices in this neighbourhood for postal orders and the new
notes. With the addition of an indicator of paper-money your machine
would be perfection."

HAPPY FAMILIES.--The game of the season--with portraits of all our
political leaders. Any four assorted leaders of different views make a
happy family. 10-1/2_d._

Mr. KEIR HARDIE says:--"I never knew a more aggravating game."

GERMAN HAPPY FAMILIES.--Intensely amusing; peals of laughter come from
the table when one asks for Mr. Kayser, the butcher; Mr. Prince, the
looter; Mr. Tirpitz, the pirate, 10-1/2_d._

BURKE'S NORMAN BLOOD.--The presentation book of the season. Invaluable
to the newly naturalised. 3_s._ 6_d._ net.

* * * * *

From certain Regimental Orders we extract the following:--

"There is no objection to the following being written on the
Field Service Post Card: 'A merry Christmas and a happy New
Year.'"

All the same, the danger of conveying n