ple I come to the
conclusion that in the majority of cases it is because they eat too
much or too often.

My meals are very simple, and the simpler they are the better I like
them. I like a cold lunch about noon, and a hot meal about six. I have
tried a wholly uncooked diet, but as yet my body does not seem ready
for it: perhaps it will be after a little while. The first meal
usually consists of wholemeal bread and fruit, green or vegetable
salads, just according to my needs at the time. In winter I take a
more liberal supply of dried fruits and nuts. Pulses I eschew
altogether. My second meal consists of a substantial entree with one
or two conservatively cooked vegetables--occasionally I have a soup
and a sweet in addition. But of course it is for everyone to find out
his or her own ideal diet; and let me say that it is worth while to do
so, even though it involves much confusion and perplexity during the
period of experimentation.

WILFRED WELLOCK.

A BALLADE OF SKYFARING.

Ye whom bonds of the city chain,
Yet whose heart must with Nature's be;
Ye who, bound to a bed of pain,
Dream there of torrent and tower and tree,
Here behold them--the magic key,
Turned by a thought in yon gates of blue,
Even now has revealed to me
Alps and Mediterranean too.

Why of the bondage of earth complain?
Wide as heaven is our liberty!
Where are the streets and their smoke and stain
When to the land of the lark we flee?
Where is the sight that we may not see,
Cloudland's citadel passing through?
Switzerland beckons with Sicily,
Alps and Mediterranean too.

Here, 'twixt walls with the marble's vein,
Oared on a river of gold are we;
There we watch, on a sapphire main,
White fleets voyage to victory.
Day unto day flashes grief or glee;
Night to night utters speech anew,
Figuring forest and lane and lea--
Alps and Mediterranean too.

ENVOY

Prince whose course through the world is free,
Fare you better than dreamers do?
Here are the mountains and here the sea--
Alps and Mediterranean too.

S. GERTRUDE FORD.

From _Lyric Leaves_, by S. Gertrude Ford. Cloth, 2s. 6d. net; 2s. 8d.
post free from _The Healthy Life_, 3 Amen Corner, E.C. This charmingly
bound book makes an excellent holiday companion, for it contains many
beautiful lyrics, all ch