putting to appropriate use his peculiar gifts of non-committal prophecy and
persuasive casuistry, and at the same time making sure of a profitable
holiday in the open air by "doing" the Sussex Fortnight, beginning with the
Goodwood meeting, in the capacity of Downy Dave, a race-course tipster.

* * * * *

There is reason to believe that, if the Recess should afford Sir WILLIAM
SUTHERLAND an opportunity to indulge his craving for the Simple Life, he
will proceed to Italy to join the coterie of ascetics known as the Assisi
Set. His conspicuous ability in telling the tale to the London Pressmen
encourages expectations that he will be no less successful as a preacher to
the birds, after the manner of St. FRANCIS, the founder of the cult.

* * * * *

In financial circles it is expected that Mr. CHAMBERLAIN will spend the
vacation _incognito_ in the neighbourhood of Blackpool, partly for the sake
of the invigorating air, but mainly, in view of the abnormal prosperity of
Lancashire, for the purpose of considering on the spot the possibilities of
a levy on capital as a local experiment.

* * * * *

A rumour is current in Whitehall, and gains colour from the activity in
certain seaports, that, in consequence of Earl CURZON'S having been
informed that the number of Channel-swimmers is likely to be unusually
large this summer, his lordship has decided to take command of a fleet of
Foreign Office launches, which will patrol the coast to make sure that none
of these persons is unprovided with a passport.

* * * * *

At Unity House a suspicion is entertained that Sir ERIC GEDDES contemplates
utilising the holidays for the double purpose of working off superfluous
steam and familiarizing himself with the true attitude of the railwaymen by
working as a stoker on one of the great main lines. Should this scheme be
carried into effect arrangements are in readiness to compel him to become a
member of the N.U.R.

* * * * *

It is hoped that Mr. AUGUSTUS JOHN will be able to accompany Lord
BEAVERBROOK to Canada this summer, so that his lordship may gratify his
lifelong ambition to be painted by Mr. JOHN, with the primeval backwoods
for a setting, in the character of a _coureur-des-bois_, of the type
immortalized by Sir GILBERT PARKER in _Pierre_.

* * *