The alarming rumours in the Sunday papers about the PRIME MINISTER’S state of health were effectively dispelled by his appearance on the Front Opposition, a little weary-looking, no doubt, but as alert as ever to seize the weak point in the adversary’s case and to put his own in the most favourable light.  From the enthusiasm of his announcement that the Soviet Government had accepted our invitation to attend a Conference in London, one would have thought that the Bolshevists had agreed to the British proposals unconditionally and that peace—­“that is what the world wants”—­was now assured.

[Illustration:  David. “YOU KNOW THE RHYME, GRANDMAMA, THAT SAYS—­

        ’THIS LITTLE PIG WENT TO MARKET,
        AND THIS LITTLE PIG STAYED AT HOME’?”

The Mother of Parliaments. “YES, DAVID, DEAR.  WHY DO YOU MENTION IT?”

David. “OH, I WAS MERELY WONDERING WHAT WAS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.”]

Abhorrence of the Government of Ireland Bill is the one subject on which all Irishmen appear to think alike.  It is, no doubt, with the desire to preserve that unanimity that the PRIME MINISTER announced his intention of pressing the measure forward after the Recess “with all possible despatch.”

But before that date it looks as if Irishmen would have despatched one another.  The little band of Nationalists had handed in a batch of private-notice Questions arising out of the disturbances in Belfast.  Their description of them as the outcome of an organised attack upon Catholics was indignantly challenged by the Ulstermen, and the SPEAKER had hard work to maintain order.  The contest was renewed on a motion for the adjournment.  As a means of bringing peace to Ireland the debate was absolutely futile.  But it enabled Mr. DEVLIN to fire off one of his tragical-comical orations, and Sir H. GREENWOOD to disclaim the accusation that he had treated the Irish problem with levity.  “There is nothing light and airy about me,” he declared; and no one who has heard his pronunciation of the word “Belfast” would doubt it.

Before and after this melancholy interlude good progress was made with the Finance Bill, and Mr. CHAMBERLAIN made several further concessions to the “family-man.”

Tuesday, July 27th.—­The Lords rejected the Health Resorts and Watering Places Bill under which local authorities could have raised a penny rate for advertising purposes.  Lord SOUTHWARK’S well-meant endeavour to support the Bill by reminding the House that Irish local authorities had enjoyed this power since 1909 was perhaps the proximate cause of its defeat, for it can hardly be said that the last few weeks have enhanced the reputation of Ireland as a health resort.

Mr. HARMSWORTH utterly confounded the critics of the Passport Office.  Its staff may appear preposterously large and its methods unduly dilatory, but the fact remains that it is one of the few public departments that actually pays its way.  Last year it spent thirty-seven thousand pounds and took ninety-one thousand pounds in fees.  “See the world and help to pay for the War” should be the motto over its portals.