of Transport for its neglect of the highways in his native
Clackmannan. The Duke of SUTHERLAND was equally eloquent about the
deplorable state of the Highlands, where the people were not even
allowed telephones to make up for their lack of transport facilities.
"Evil communications corrupt good manners," and there was real
danger that the Highlanders would vote "Wee Free" at the next General
Election. Appalled by this prospect, no doubt, Lord LYTTON hastened to
return a soft answer, from which we learned that three-quarters of
a million had already been allocated to Scottish roads, and gathered
that the dearest ambition of Sir ERIC GEDDES was to share the fame of
the hero immortalised in the famous lines:--

"Had you seen but these roads before they were made
You would hold up your hands and bless General WADE."

Only Mr. KIPLING could do full justice to the story of the abduction,
pursuit and recapture--all within thirty-six hours--of an English
lady at Peshawar. Even as officially narrated by Mr. MONTAGU it was
sufficiently exciting. The most curious and reassuring fact was
that all the actors in the drama, abductors and rescuers alike, were
Afridis. It is to be hoped that this versatile community includes a
cinematograph operator, and that a film will, like the lady, shortly
be "released."

[Illustration: "SUMER IS Y-CUMEN IN."

SIR ROBERT HORNE WELCOMES A USEFUL ALLY.]

The miners' representatives made an unselfish protest against the
increase in the price of coal. Although it would justify them in
demanding a further increase in their present inadequate wage they did
not believe it was necessary or, at any rate, urgent. Sir ROBERT HORNE
assured them that it was, and that the present moment--the season in
happier days of "Lowest Summer Prices"--had been selected as the least
inconvenient to the public.

_Thursday, May 13th._--Ireland maintains its pre-eminence as the land
of paradox. Among the hunger-strikers recently released from Mountjoy
prison were (by an accident) several men who had actually been
convicted. The House learned to its surprise that these men cannot be
re-arrested, but are out for good (their own, though possibly not the
community's); whereas the untried (and possibly innocent) suspects may
be re-arrested at any moment.

The new Profiteering Bill, which, to judge by the criticisms levelled
against its exceptions and safeguards, will be about as effective as
its predecessor, was read a