fails
him altogether, realises it too and the story is finished.

* * * * *

The main object of the characters in _The Courts of Idleness_ (WARD,
LOCK) was to amuse themselves, and as their sprightly conversations
were often punctuated by laughter I take it that they succeeded. To
give Mr. DORNFORD YATES his due he is expert in light banter; but some
three hundred pages of such entertainment tend to create a sense of
surfeit. The first part of the book is called, "How some passed out
of the Courts for ever," and then comes an interlude, in which we are
given at least one stirring war-incident. I imagine that Mr. YATES
desires to show that, although certain people could frivol with the
worst, they could also fight and die bravely. The second part, "How
others left the Courts only to return," introduces a new set of people
but with similar conversational attainments. Mr. YATES can be strongly
recommended to anyone who thinks that the British take themselves too
seriously.

* * * * *

=A Burning Question.=

"The Germans have singed the Protocol."--_China Advertiser_.

* * * * *

=A Master of Deduction.=

"At 11.30 last night a black iron safe, 22 inches by 18, was found
by the roadside at Leaves Green-road, Keston. When examined it was
found that the bottom of the safe had been cut out. A burglary is
suspected."--_Evening Paper_.

* * * * *

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol.
159, September 22, 1920, by Various

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH, OR THE LONDON ***

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