lumns last week
that the collapse of a wooden house was caused by a sparrow stepping on it,
we feel we ought to mention that, owing to a sudden gust of wind, the bird
in question leaned to one side, and it was simply this movement which
caused the house to overbalance.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE WAVE OF CRIME.

_Gent._ "WHAT MADE YOU PUT YOUR HAND INTO MY POCKET?"

_Doubtful Character._ "JUST ABSENT-MINDEDNESS. I ONCE 'AD A PAIR OF PANTS
EXACTLY LIKE THOSE YOU'RE WEARING."]

* * * * *

"The eternal combustion engine has become recognised the world over as
a factor in modern civilisation."--_Provincial Paper._

But surely it is many years since Lord WESTBURY in the GORHAM case was said
to have "dismissed h---- with costs?"

* * * * *

THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF TRADE.

[The revival, in certain quarters, of commercial relations with Germany
has already begun to blunt the memory of the War. And now the proposal
to open up trade with the Co-operative Societies in Russia, to the
obvious benefit of the Bolshevists, who practically control the whole
country, looks like an attempt to bring about indirectly a peace which
we cannot in decency negotiate through the ordinary channels of
diplomacy.]

They are coming, the carpet-baggers, their voices are heard in the land,
Guttural Teuton organs, but very polite and bland;
And our arms are stretched for their welcome; we've buried the past like
a dud;
For blood may be thicker than water, but Trade is thicker than blood.

The Winter of war is over, and lo! with the dawn of Spring
They come, and we greet them coming, like swallows that homeward swing,
Fair as the violet's waking, swift as the snows in flood,
For blood may be thicker than water, but Trade is thicker than blood.

Likewise with Soviet Russia--we've done with the need to fight;
There are gentler methods (and cheaper) of putting the whole thing right;
The palms of the dealers are plying the soap's invisible sud,
For blood may be thicker than water, but Trade is thicker than blood.

Of Peace there can be no parley with LENIN'S _regime_, as such,
But Business can easily tackle what Honour declines to touch,
Making the sewage to blossom, sampling the septic mud,
For blood may be thicker than water, but Trade is thicker than blood.

Thus may