***

After one-hundred-and-fifty-years' careful consideration the War
Office has given permission to the Black Watch and the King's
Royal Rifle Corps to bear on their regimental colours the honorary
distinction "North America, 1763-64," in recognition of services
rendered during the war against the Red Indians.

***

Not sixty people visited "La Gioconda" on one of the days after
her return to Paris, when a charge of four shillings was made for
admission, and, towards the end of the day, the smile is said to have
worn a rather forced look.

***

"Who are the best selling modern authors?" asks a contemporary. We
do not like to mention names, but, as readers, we have been sold by
several popular writers lately.

***

We are not surprised that many persons are becoming rather disgusted
with our little amateurish attempts at Winter. Thousands now go to
Switzerland, and Sir ERNEST SHACKLETON is going even further afield.
Meanwhile the Government does nothing to stem this emigration.

***

The boxing craze among the French continues. M. VEDRINES, the intrepid
aviator, has taken it up and been practising on M. Roux's ears.

***

The German CROWN PRINCE has become a member of the Danzig Cabinet
Makers' Union. Later on he hopes to become a Chancellor-maker.

***

Another impending apology? Headlines from _The Daily Chronicle_:--

"PNEUMONIA ON THE RAND.
DISCOVERY OF ITS CAUSE.
SIR ALMROTH WRIGHT'S
VACCINE TREATMENT."

***

Could frugality go further? At the golden wedding celebrations of a
Southend couple, a packet of wedding cake was eaten which had been put
away on their marriage day in 1863.

***

A soap combine, with a nominal capital of L35,000,000, is said to have
been formed to exploit China; and the Mongols may yet cease to be a
yellow race.

***

The latest tall story from America is to the effect that some burglars
who broke into the Presbyterian church at Syracuse, New York, stole a
parcel of sermons.

* * * * *

[Illustration: PANTOMIME FAUNA.

_Extract from the note-book of the dramatic critic of "the Wampton
Clarion_":--

Mr. Clarence Fink delighted the Audience with his truly life like
representation of [Crossed-out: a wolf bear lion cat monkey] an animal
of the furry tribe.]

* * * * *

YOUNG MOTHER'S SWAN-SONG.

["It was better f