enerosity, Mr. Punch trusts that this modest and most excellent
ameliorative organisation will not be neglected.

* * * * *

"The police are divided in their opinions as to whether Mamie is still
alive or whether she has gone to Canada."--_Provincial Paper._

Why this "down" on the Dominion?

* * * * *

[Illustration: OUR PARISH CHURCH.

JOHN BULL. "LET ME SEE, WE MUST BE ESPECIALLY GENEROUS TO-DAY. THE
COLLECTION IS FOR THE RESTORATION FUND."]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

_Monday, July 5th._--When the Germans left Peking after the Boxer Rebellion
they took with them the astronomical instruments which had hung for
centuries on its walls. How the Celestial equivalent of _Old Moore_ has
managed to translate the message of the stars without their assistance I
cannot imagine; but the Chinese Government does not appear to be worrying,
for, though it was specifically provided at Versailles that the instruments
should be returned, China has omitted to sign the Peace Treaty.

[Illustration: "A GENEROUS TEAPOT."

COLONEL WEDGWOOD.]

There are the makings of a great statesman in Sir JOHN REES. Some
apprehension having been expressed lest France should prohibit the
importation of silk mourning crepe and so injure an old British industry,
he was quick to suggest a remedy. "Would it not be possible," he asked in
his most insinuating tones, "to have a deal between silk and champagne?"
And the House, which is not yet entirely composed of "Pussyfeet," gave him
an approving cheer.

A certain General GOLOVIN having published statements reflecting on Mr.
CHURCHILL'S conduct of the campaign in North Russia last year, that section
of the House which is always ready to take the word of any foreigner as
against that of any Englishman, particularly of any English Minister, at
once assumed that the charges were correct. The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR
was in his place, with the light of battle in his eye, ready to meet his
enemies in the gate. But by the time Mr. BONAR LAW had done with them there
was not much left of the charges. So far as the statements were true, he
said, they merely repeated what was already familiar to the House.
Everybody knew that the Government was helping the anti-Bolshevik forces
last year. But the story that Mr. CHURCHILL had taken his orders from
Admiral KOLTCHAK was both untrue and absurd. He ha