nwhile, Hector Pasha is committing
atrocities.

March 18.

The Powers have issued Collective Notes to the contending parties. It is
understood that nothing short of a _Deus ex machina_ can avert a formal
rupture of relations between the Courts of Troy and Mycenae, as acts
which are liable to the interpretation of belligerency are daily
committed.

The ambiguous attitude of Zeus tends to complicate the situation. His
Majesty the King narrowly missed being hit by a thunderbolt this morning.

March 20.

I am authorized to state that the intervention of a _Deus ex machina_ has
brought about the arrangement of a _modus vivendi_. The Achaean
expeditionary force is to withdraw, and Helen is to be autonomous.
Menelaus, however, is to be free to enforce administrative reforms.

March 21.

Peace with Honour has been proclaimed. It is possible, however, that
some embarrassment may still arise from the action of King Priam in
assessing the material, moral, and intellectual damage inflicted on
himself and his allies at 152,833 tripods, 18 women, and an ox. This sum
will certainly be disputed.

It is asserted as probable that the Poet Laureate,--Homer, will be
invited to compose an epic poem commemorating the events of the raid. An
edition of 20,000 copies will be issued, including 50 on India paper,
with corruptions and emendations by eminent scholars.

THE JOURNALISTIC TOUCH
(II.) FORGOTTEN HISTORY

The Roman correspondent of the _Stella Lugdunensis_ writes to his paper
under date A.V.C. 817:--

All the Press is naturally full of the recent debate in the Senate on the
alleged unconstitutional indiscretions of our Imperial Master. (H.I.M.,
I should add, is at present on a lecturing tour in the Peloponnesus;
statements in the _Custos Burdigalensis_ to the effect that He is giving
a series of violin recitals are wholly without foundation.) The
impression produced is on the whole one of unanimous condemnation of His
Majesty's recent action. How--it is argued even by the Right--can it
tend to the stability of Roman foreign policy that in the regrettable
military operations between the Suebi and the Chatti the Emperor should
have directed General Count Corbulo to prepare an invincible plan of
campaign for each of th