“As a matter of fact,” said James, “I did make it up.  It was suggested to me by the heading to a letter in this paper—­’The Stocking of Private Parks,’ though that appears to be upon quite a different subject.  Something agricultural, I gather.”

* * * * *

    “By a comparison of the wet and dry bulb registrations the dew
    point and the humility of the atmosphere is determined.”

    Banbury Guardian.

In the first week of August, at any rate, the atmosphere had no reason to swank.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  The intruders.

American Eagle (to German Peace Doves).  “Go away; I’m busy.”]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Chatty Waiter (to visitor growing stouter every day).

“I’m sure, sir your stay here is Doing you good.  Why, you’re twice the gentleman you were when you came.”]

* * * * *

A letter from new York.

Dear ——­,—­We got here safely, with the usual submarine scares en route, but apparently no real danger.  Vessels going westward from England are not much the U-boats’ concern, nor are the U’s, I guess, particularly keen on wasting torpedoes on passenger ships.  What they want to sink is the goods.

Anyway, we got here safely.  It is all very wonderful and novel, and the interest in the War is unmistakable; but what I want to tell you about is an experience that I have had in the house of one of the leading picture collectors here—­and the art treasures of America are gradually but surely becoming terrific.  If some measure is not passed to prevent export, England will soon have nothing left, except in the public galleries.  Of course, for a while, America can’t be so rich as if she had not come into the War, but she will be richer than we can ever be for a good many years, while the steel people who make the implements of destruction at Bethlehem will be richest of all.  What my man makes I cannot say, but he is a king of sorts, even if not actually a Bethlehem boss, and the Medici are not in it!  I have introductions to all the most famous collectors, but, hearing of his splendours, I went to him first.

Well, I sent on my credentials, and was invited to call and inspect the Plutocrat’s walls.  You never saw anything like them!  And he refers to his collection only as a “modest nucleus.”  He has agents all over the world to discover when the possessors of certain unique works are nearing the rocks.  Then he offers to buy.  As his wealth is unlimited, and sooner or later all the nobility and gentry of England, France, Italy and Russia will