[Illustration:  HEAVY WORK FOR THE BOUNDARY COMISSIONERS.

MR. EUGENE WASON TO BE SWEPT AWAY.]

Wednesday, June 13th.—­Considering that barely three hours before the House met the “Fort of London” had been drenched with the “ghastly dew of aerial navies” Members showed themselves most uncommon calm.  They exhibited, however, a little extra interest when any prominent personage entered the House, showing that he at least had escaped the bombs, and were too busy comparing notes regarding their personal experiences to ask many Supplementary Questions.

Even Mr. BONAR LAW’S announcement that KING CONSTANTINE had abdicated the throne of Greece passed almost without remark; except that Mr. SWIFT MACNEILL anxiously inquired whether TINO, having received the Order of the Boot, would be allowed to retain that of the Bath.

The mystery of Lord NORTHCLIFFE’S visit to the United States has been cleared up.  Certain journals, believed to enjoy his confidence, had described him as “Mr. Balfour’s successor.”  Certain other journals, whose confidence he does not enjoy, had declined to believe this.  The fact, as stated by Mr. BONAR LAW, is that “it is hoped that Lord NORTHCLIFFE will be able to carry on the work begun by Mr. BALFOUR as head of the British Mission in America.”  He is expected “to co-ordinate and supervise the work of all the Departmental Missions.”  It was interesting to learn that his Lordship “will have the right of communicating direct with the PRIME MINISTER”—­a thing which of course he has never done before.

Thursday, June 14th.—­Mr. KEATING, having made the remarkable discovery that the War has injured the prosperity of Irish seaside resorts, demanded the restoration of excursion trains and season tickets.  Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS stoutly supported the Irish Railway Executive Committee in its refusal to encourage pleasure-traffic.  His decision received the involuntary support of Mr. MACVEAGH, who attempted to back up his colleague by the singular argument that the existing trains in Ireland ran half-empty.

The Lords spent the best part of a sunny afternoon in discussing whether or not the South-Eastern Eailway should be allowed to bolster up the Charing Cross railway bridge.  In vain Lord CURZON, flying in the face of his Ministerial colleague, the PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, urged the claims of Art; in vain he assured the House that when WORDSWORTH wrote of the view from Westminster, “Earth has not anything to show more fair,” he was not thinking of that maroon-coloured monstrosity.  The majority of their lordships, understanding that the proposal had something to do with “strengthening the piers,” declined to reject it.

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[Illustration:  Officer.  “AND WHAT DID YOU SAY TO PRIVATE SMITH?” Witness (who had discovered prisoner milking cow belonging to French farmer).  “I TOLD HIM TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND PUT THE MILK BACK.”]