***

The North Somerset Liberal Association have passed a resolution asking Mr. Joseph king not to offer himself as a candidate at the next election, and it is thought likely that Mr. King will ask his constituents to resign.

***

A Llanelly correspondent writes to a morning paper to say that a parrot which he had kept for twenty years had just died.  But surely the remarkable thing is that it didn’t die before.

***

“No one admits taking drink because they like it,” said Mr. D’EYNCOURT the other day.  The popular idea is, of course, that the beastly stuff must be got rid of somehow.

***

Broadstairs Council has been offered six pounds for a sand-artist’s pitch.  The advance in price is attributed to the growing attraction of the place for foreigners on a flying visit.

***

“Women will not undertake to rock a cradle after learning to drive a van,” says Father Vaughan.  But we trust they will still handle the baby ribbons.

***

Mr. Edward backhouse, the Stockton-on-Tees Peace candidate, is reported to have had his first public meeting broken up.  He is now of the opinion that it serves us right if the War goes on for the present.

***

Kent rat and sparrow clubs are offering one shilling a dozen for rats’ tails.  The price is small, but, as the President of a leading club points out, the vendor is permitted to retain the balance of the rat for his own purposes.

***

Some exception has been taken to Mr. H.W.  FORSTER’S statement to the House of Commons that only 250,000,000 sandbags have been used by the Army in the current year.  Several privates home on leave have assured us that they themselves have filled at least that number while waiting for a single counterattack.

***

A Scottish allotment holder, in the course of digging the other day, discovered three sovereigns, a silver watch and a gold ring.  Since this discovery the authorities have been so overwhelmed by applications for allotments that there is some talk of extending the Scottish boundary into England, in order to cope with the business.

***

“It is essential,” says Mr. Neville Chamberlain, “that there should be some light entertainment and amusement for the people.”  Several London magistrates have promised to be funnier.

* * * * *

Herbs of Grace.

I.

Borage.

  “Borage for courage,”
    The old saw runs. 
  “Let’s grow Borage
    And we’ll beat the Huns! 
  Whether for porridge
    Or puddings or buns,
  Let’s go and forage
    For tons and tons.

II.

Dill.