Readers of the War news who have some difficulty in remembering where the Falkland Islands are may be helped by the recollection of one of Ian Maclaren’s stories. After a disaster to an emigrant ship many years ago, some of the survivors reached those islands. When the news came home the minister of a Scottish church to which some of the emigrants had belonged prayed thus:— “Oh, Lord, we pray Thee to be with our brethren, stranded in the Falkland Islands, which, as Thou knowest, are situated in the South Atlantic Ocean.” WILLING TO COMPROMISE “Well, Tom, what d’ye think o’ this prohibition business?” “We ought to do like France and Russia.” “You’re givin’ it all up, then?” “No; France is givin’ up absent and Russia’s givin’ up vodka. So I’m not goin’ to touch absent or vodka till peace comes. Give me beer.” BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR Seaforth Highlanders’ Quaint Ceremony The Seaforth Highlanders, now at the front, have one of the most peculiar New Year’s Eve customs of the whole British Army. The ceremony is picturesque and imposing. On the night of Hogmanay, at about half-past ten, the regiment assembles in the barrack square. A few minutes later the oldest soldier in the battalion, dressed up as a druid, makes his appearance, to the accompaniment of a flourish of trumpets, and ascending the improvised throne, he calls on the ancient veterans to show their uniforms and achievements of bygone times. To the music of the pipes and brass band, veteran after veteran, arrayed in the uniforms worn by the regiment at different periods, marches past, and salutes the druid. The druid then toasts “The Seaforth Highlanders.” After a display of Highland dancing, the alarm is sounded, and the second oldest soldier, arrayed as Father Time, approaches. The veterans now retreat, leaving their honors to be guarded by their successors, and Father Time expels the druid. At the last stroke of midnight a loud knock is heard at the gate, and out rings the sentry’s challenge, “Halt! Who goes there?” “The New Year!” comes back the answer. “Advance, New Year, and give the countersign!” is the next command. “Cabar feidth gu brath!” (the clan cry of the Mackenzies, i. e., the Seaforths). “Pass, New Year; all’s well!” The gate is then opened, and the youngest boy of the battalion enters, dressed as the high chief of ancient Ross, to represent the New Year. The colonel shakes hands with the boy, while the band strikes up “A Guid New Year to Ane and A’.” After the colonel’s greeting to the battalion the National Anthem is played, and the men fall out. A WOMAN’S WORRY Mrs. Barron was paying a visit to Mrs. Atkins, whose husband was away fighting at the front. The visitor found the soldier’s wife in a paroxysm of grief. “Whatever is the matter?” exclaimed Mrs. Barron. “Aint yer heard?” was the sobbing reply. “Bill’s in ’orspital with both ’is arms off.” Mrs. Barron was obviously shocked. With a view to easing the grief, however, she said: