* * * * *

[Illustration:  SCENE.—­Basement during an air-raid.  Loud noise without.

The Right Kind of Boy (with great animation).  “MUMMY, ARE WE WINNING?”]

* * * * *

PUNCH’S ROLL OF HONOUR.

We are very sorry to learn that Captain A.W.  LLOYD, Royal Fusiliers, who for some time illustrated the Essence of Parliament, has been badly wounded in East Africa.  We join his many friends in England and South Africa in sending him our sincerest hopes for his restoration to health and strength.

* * * * *

“HE-WHO-MUST-BE-OBEYED.”

  SIR ARTHUR YAPP, Sir ARTHUR YAPP,
  He is a formidable chap;
  He says the best of this year’s fashions
  Is to obey his rule for rations. 
  To every man and every maid
  Of every sort of social grade,
  Sir ARTHUR YAPP, Sir ARTHUR YAPP. 
  He is—­to put the thing with snap—­
    He-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed.

  Sir ARTHUR YAPP, Sir ARTHUR YAPP,
  He simply doesn’t care a rap
  For any one—­his only passion’s
  Compelling us to keep our rations;
  Downrightly he demands our aid;
  He will not have the troops betrayed. 
  Sir ARTHUR YAPP, Sir ARTHUR YAPP,
  He is—­the right man in the gap—­
    He-Who-MUST-Be-Obeyed.

  Sir ARTHUR YAPP, Sir ARTHUR YAPP,
  He says the way to change the map—­
  The way that all of us can smash Huns—­
  Is simply sticking to our rations;
  Whereas the Hun will have us flayed
  Unless the waste of food is stayed. 
  Sir ARTHUR YAPP, Sir ARTHUR YAPP,
  He is right through this final lap—­
    He-Who-MUST-Be-Obeyed.

  W.B.

* * * * *

    “TO THE EDITOR OF ‘THE TIMES.’

    Sir,—­Last Sunday evening I read your leader of October 24 as part
    of my sermon to my village congregation.  It went home.”—­Times.

The Times leader-writer should cultivate a brighter style, more calculated to hold the interest of a congregation.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  AT BAY.

ENGLAND AND FRANCE (to their comrade).  “STICK TO IT!”]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Tommy.  “WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BUNCH?”

Australian.  “OH, I DIDN’T GET ’EM—­THE DAWG BROUGHT ’EM IN.”]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Monday, October 29th.—­For once Parliament repelled the gibe of its critics that it has ceased to represent the people.  Lords and Commons united in praise of our sailors and soldiers and all the other gallant folk who are helping us to win the War, and passed the formal Votes of Thanks without a dissentient voice.