Thursday, May 8th.—­When the Ministry of Health Bill was in the Commons some objection was raised to the multiplicity of powers conferred upon it.  But if certain noble lords could have their way the measure would become a veritable octopus, stretching its absorptive tentacles over all the Departments of State.  It would take over the inspectorship of factories from the Home Office, the control of quack medicines from the Privy Council and the relief of the poor from the Local Government Board.  Fortunately for Dr. ADDISON the Government refused to throw these further burdens upon him.  After all, DISRAELI’S famous phrase, “Sanitas sanitatum omnia sanitas,” must not be translated too literally.

Members were all agog to hear what the Government might have to say about the Peace-terms announced this morning.  Mr. BOTTOMLEY challenged the adequacy of the financial provisions, but the HOME SECRETARY evidently felt unequal to a controversy with so great an expert in money-matters, and requested him to wait for his “big brother,” Mr. BONAR LAW.

A proposal by Mr. SYDNEY ARNOLD to raise the limit of exemption from income-tax from L130 to L250 was strongly backed by the Labour Party.  In resisting it the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER pointed out that the Labour Party had opposed indirect taxation and now they were opposing direct taxation.  In what form did they consider that working-men should contribute to the expenses of their country?  No answer to this blunt question was forthcoming.

* * * * *

THE CHILDREN’S BELLS.

    [The Bells of St, Clement’s, which have been too much out of
    order to ring for many years, are now being restored.  It is
    hoped they will be ready to ring the Peace in.]

  Where are your oranges? 
    Where are your lemons? 
  What, are you silent now,
    Bells of St. Clement’s? 
  You, of all bells that rang
    Once in old London,
  You, of all bells that sang,
    Utterly undone? 
  You whom the children know
    Ere they know letters,
  Making Big Ben himself
    Call you his betters? 
  Where are your lovely tones,
    Fruitful and mellow,
  Full-flavoured orange-gold,
    Clear lemon-yellow? 
  Ring again, sing again,
    Bells of St. Clement’s! 
  Call as you swing again,
    “Oranges!  Lemons!”
  Fatherless children
    Are listening near you;
  Sing for the children—­
    The fathers will hear you.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  FROM FIELD-MARSHAL TO JOURNALIST.

LORD FRENCH’S PROMOTION.]

* * * * *

MUSICAL RECONSTRUCTION.

(By our Special Reporter, who is also busy with the Coal Commission).