Mr. ASQUITH, but authentic details are as yet lacking as to their decision.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE BLAMELESS ACCOMPLICE.

IRISH RAILWAYMAN (_to Sinn Fein Assassin_). "YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT. DETESTING
MURDER, AS MR. THOMAS SAYS I DO, I'VE TAKEN CARE THAT THAT FELLOW SHOULD
HAVE NO AMMUNITION."

["The Irish members of the N.U.R. expressed publicly their feeling of
disgust at murder and outrage."--_Mr. J.H. THOMAS._]]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

_Monday, June 21st._--While the PRIME MINISTER was celebrating the
longest--and pretty nearly the hottest--day by a _vin d'honneur_ at
Boulogne Mr. BONAR LAW had to content himself with small beer in the
Commons.

The Government, it seems, is to offer its services to effect a peaceful
settlement between the Imam YAHYA and the Said IDRISSI, who are rival
rulers in Arabia. There is believed to be a possibility that in return the
said Said will offer his services to effect a peaceful settlement in
Hibernia Infelix.

The Government is not so indifferent to economy as is sometimes suggested.
The PRIME MINISTER'S famous letter to the Departments was only written in
August last, yet already, Mr. BONAR LAW assured the House, some progress
has been made in reducing redundant staffs, and the Government has
appointed--no, I beg pardon, "decided to appoint"--independent Committees
to carry out investigations. The hustlers!

[Illustration: DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SEND THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS TO FETCH THE
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT?--_The SPEAKER._]

The Member for Wood Green, who urged that the Treasury should prepare an
estimate of the national income, with the view of limiting the national
expenditure to a definite proportion of that amount, displayed, it seems to
me, amazing temerity. The course of taxation in recent years encourages the
belief that the only thing that restrains the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
from taking our little all is that he does not know how much it is.

Capt. WEDGEWOOD BENN'S complaint that the MINISTER OF TRANSPORT habitually
absented himself from the House met with little encouragement from the
SPEAKER, who sarcastically inquired if he should send the SERJEANT-AT-ARMS
to fetch the delinquent. Capt. BENN then dropped the subject, and Sir COLIN
KEPPEL looked relieved.

The Government insisted on taking the Report stage and Third Reading of the
Rent (Restrictions) Bill at one sitting, and k