The rumours that have lately appeared in the papers, to the effect that the FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS was contemplating revolutionary alterations at Hampton Court—­in particular that he was going to transform the famous pond-garden into something quite different:  a MOND-garden, in fact—­are, it seems, grossly exaggerated.  All that he has done is to appoint a Committee of experts to advise him what, if any, changes are desirable.

The resumed debate on the Finance Bill was enlivened by some personal details.  By way of showing that even without a levy on capital the rich man bears his share of the burdens of the State, Sir EDWARD CARSON remarked that, when he receives a retainer, he immediately allows for the super-tax and enters it in his fee-book at only half the amount.  He had had one that very morning.  “Say it was five pounds”—­and the House laughed loudly at such an absurd supposition.

Then we had Lord HUGH CECIL pointing his argument that the importance of the proposed Preference to the Dominions was political rather than economical by the remark that if he was going to be married—­which he fervently hoped would not happen to him—­he would expect his mythical bride to value his engagement-ring less for its pecuniary than its sentimental value.

A capital speech by Mr. STANLEY BALDWIN, one of the few men in the House who talks finance as if he really understood it, wound up the debate, and procured the Finance Bill a second reading nem. con.

Thursday, May 22nd.—­The Ministry of Health Bill came up for third reading in the Lords.  An eleventh-hour attempt by the Government to provide the new Minister with an additional Under-Secretary was heavily defeated, Lord DOWNHAM being appropriately enough one of the Tellers for the Opposition.

The Commons heard some good news.  Mr. KENDALL’S pathetic story of an angling-party which, after walking five miles along a dusty road to its favourite hostelry, found it adorned with the now too frequent notice, “Closed—­No Beer,” brought a most sympathetic reply from Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS, who boldly confessed, “I am a believer in good beer myself,” and later on announced that the Government had decided to increase the output from twenty million to twenty-six million standard barrels.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Geordie (after intently watching conductor of Jazz band for some time). “AH’VE HAD ENOUGH O’ THIS.  YON CHAP WI’ STICK’S ONLY CODDIN’.  HE’S NOT HIT ONE OF ’EM SINCE WE CAAME IN.”]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Farmer. “WELL, I BE MAIN GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK FROM THE WAR.  I SUPPOSE YOU’LL BE THINKING OF TAKING TO WORK NOW?”]

* * * * *

WHAT’S IN A NAME?