ly nebulous cleric happens along to perform the necessary
function of receiving a moribund neophyte into the Church; otherwise
the conversion appears to take place as it were by spontaneous
combustion and not as the result of any visible proselytising agency.
However the _Elstones_ bear no resemblance to real human beings--you
can hardly expect it of people called _Ierne_ and _Magali_ and _Ivo_
and _Elvidia_ and names like that--so perhaps it doesn't matter how
they came to see the great light. The important thing obviously from
the authoress's point of view is to get them into the fold; and good
Catholics who look at the end rather than the means may enjoy _The
Elstones_. As a novel it will try them hard.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Manager of Gasworks_ (_to aeronaut who has just had
his balloon inflated_). "EXCUSE ME, SIR, BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO
UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT OUR TERMS FOR GAS ARE STRICTLY CASH."]

* * * * *

HOW THE SECRETS OF ROYAL HOUSEHOLDS LEAK OUT.

"'SO HOMELY AND NICE.'

WHAT THE PRINCE SAID WHEN TOLD THERE WERE NO
BATHROOMS."--_Daily Mirror_.

* * * * *

"It is a trifle, perhaps, that the author mispels the name of
Varden in 'Barnaby Rudge,' and the name of Bucket in 'Bleak
House.' Spelling is not of much consequence."--Mr. Arthur
Machen in "_The Evening News_."

So we observe.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol.
156, April 9, 1919, by Various

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH, APRIL 9, 1919 ***

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