* * * * *

A deputation of officials recently visited the Zoo and made a number of measurements, but no decision has yet been reached as to whether or no it will be taken over for Government work.

* * * * *

There is absolutely no truth in the statement, circulated by some wholly frivolous or malicious person, that any of the theatres or music-halls are to be closed during the War in order to make space for workers.

* * * * *

It is rumoured that Mr. EDWARD MARSH may very shortly take up his duties as Minister of Poetry and the Fine Arts.  Mr. MARSH has not yet decided whether he will appoint Mr. ASQUITH or Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL as his private secretary.

* * * * *

Meanwhile a full list of the private secretaries of the new private secretaries of the members of the new Government may at any moment be disclosed to a long-suffering public.

* * * * *

The latest Captain of Commerce to be diverted from his own business for the benefit of his country is the head of the great curl industry.  He will have one on his sleeve, being given commissioned rank in the Navy, and his special duty will be the control of the waves of the Channel.

* * * * *

At the invitation of the PREMIER, whose summons came to him just as he was entering his car bound for Pall Mall, Mr. HARVEY TATE has agreed to accept the portfolio of the Ministry of Road Traffic.  Mr. TATE’S long experience as a motorist and familiarity with all the difficulties of motoring qualify him peculiarly for this post.  One of his first tasks will be to inquire fully into the charges against the taxi varlet.

* * * * *

In spite of all rumours to the contrary, Lord NORTHCLIFFE will remain outside the new Government, but his interest in it is, at present, friendly.  It is very well understood, however, that everyone must behave; for his Lordship, in one of his rare intervals of expansion, has been heard to remark that there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it.

* * * * *

    “The Bishop of Winchester proposes to cultivate the park round big
    Palace at Fulham.”—­Bristol Times and Mirror.

The Bishop of LONDON will, no doubt, return the compliment at Farnham.

* * * * *

WARS OF THE PAST.

(As recorded in the Press of the period.)

VII.

From “Tempora” (Rome).