*

"There is no saying how Kinglake's history might have otherwise
read had not a round shot put a premature end to Korniloff's
career at the Malakoff whence M'Mahon was to send his famous
message, 'J'y, j'reste.'"--_Manchester Evening Chronicle._

There is no saying how anybody's history will read if time-honoured
sayings may be treated like this.

* * * * *

"We are inclined to attribute the form as well as the substance
of the Note to the aloofness from the practical affairs of the
outside world which seems to exist in the Vatican."--_Times._

The POPE may or may not be behind the times, but as our contemporary
signed the Papal Peace Note, "BENEDICTUS XVI." it is plain that _The
Times_ is ahead of the POPE.

* * * * *

Extract from a letter recently received by a manufacturing firm:--

"We are pleased to be able to inform you that we have seen the
Munitions Area delusion officer at ----, and he has informed us
that he would not hesitate to grant Protection Certificates for
these men."

We sympathise too much with Labour to care to see it labouring under a
delusion officer.

* * * * *

HEART-TO-HEART TALKS.

(_Herr MICHAELIS: Marshal VON HINDENBURG_.)

_Herr M._ Good morning, my dear Marshal. I am glad we have been able
to arrange a meeting, for there are certain points I wish to settle
with you.

_Von H._ I am, as always, at your Excellency's service; only I beg
that the interview may not be prolonged beyond what is strictly
needful. Time presses, and much remains to be done everywhere.

_Herr M._ But I have the commands of the ALL-HIGHEST to speak with you
on some weighty matters. He himself, as you know, has several speeches
to make to-day.

_Von H._ Oh, those speeches! How well I know them. I could almost make
them myself if I wanted to make speeches, which, God be thanked, I do
not need to do.

_Herr M._ No, indeed. Your reputation rests on foundations firmer than
speeches.

_Von H._ You yourself, Excellency, have lately discovered how
fallacious a thing is a speech, even where the speaker honestly tries
to do his best to please everybody.

_Herr M._ You are very kind, my dear Marshal, to speak thus of my
humble effort. The result of it has certainly disappointed me.

_Von H._ What was it that LEDEBOUR said of it? Did he not describe it
as "a po