"Evening News," April 15._

"The older comrades, who are keeping banks going in the
absence of the younger patriots, turned out to cheer their
comrades."
_"Evening News," same date._

The older bankers, we must presume, are all from the provinces, and
not so shy.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE CHAMPION OF THE SMALLER NATIONS.

IMPERIAL PACHYDERM. "OUR HEART GOES OUT TO THESE POOR LITTLE
UNPROTECTED EGGS. THEY WANT MOTHERING. WE WILL SIT ON THEM."
[_Does so._]

[With Mr. Punch's apologies to a noble animal.]]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

[Illustration: _COLONEL CHURCHILL (arriving post-haste at the House
of Commons from the Front, on April 18_), "COME I TOO LATE FOR THE
PREMIER'S STATEMENT?"

_Constable._ "ON THE CONTRARY, SIR, YOU'RE A DAY TOO EARLY."

[The Constable was in error. He should have said a week.]]

_Monday, April 17th._--The hon. Member who described the present
Parliamentary situation as "a cabal every afternoon and a crisis every
second day" is justified of his epigram. The lobbies this afternoon
were full of agitated whisperers, with much talk of a divided Cabinet
and this and that Minister on the brink of resignation, because they
cannot agree upon the number of men they want for the Army or the best
method of obtaining them. All of which must be very comforting to our
enemies.

Some anxiety is felt on the Treasury Bench owing to the marked
shortage of Members from Ireland. Hitherto, whenever the Government
has seemed to be in danger, Mr. REDMOND'S followers have trooped over
from Dublin to the rescue. But to-day most of them are absent. Some
attribute their defection to chagrin at their shortsightedness in
resisting the appointment of Mr. CAMPBELL as Lord Chancellor of
Ireland. As Attorney-General they fear he will exert a much more
potent influence in Irish affairs.

Faithful among the faithless, Mr. GINNELL was in his place. He is not
interested in the troubles of the British Government. His present
obsession is the alleged over-taxation of his own beloved country. In
order that he might have due verge and scope to expatiate upon that
grievance be pressed the PRIME MINISTER to arrange an early sitting on
Wednesday and also to suspend the eleven o'clock rule. At this naive
suggestion the House relieved its tension with a hearty laugh.

How much truth there may be i