In those very identical regions That sunder the Marne from the Aisne We advanced to the rear with our legions Long ago and have done it again; Fools murmur of errors committed, But every intelligent man Has accepted the view that we flitted According to plan. The French rivers have found their voice again: 'Twas the voice of the Marne That began it with "Garn! Full speed, Fritz, astarn!" Then the Ourcq and the Crise Sang "Move on, if you please." The Ardre and the Vesle Took up the glad tale, And cried to the Aisne "Wash out the Hun stain." So all the way back from the Marne the French rivers Have given the Boches in turn the cold shivers. [Illustration: "ACCORDING TO PLAN" LITTLE WILLIE: "Well, Father wanted a war of movement, and now he's got it!"] [Illustration: VON POT AND VON KETTLE GERMAN GENERAL: "Why the devil don't you stop these Americans coming across? That's your job." GERMAN ADMIRAL: "And why the devil don't you stop 'em when they _are_ across? That's yours."] [Illustration: CHILD (who has been made much of by father home on leave for the first time for two years): "Mummy dear, I like that man you call your husband."] Hindenburg has confided to a newspaper correspondent that the German people need to develop the virtue of patience. According to the _Berliner Tageblatt_ he has declared that he was not in favour of the July offensive. Ludendorff, on the other hand, may fairly point out that it isn't his offensive any longer. Anyhow, Hindenburg is fairly entitled to give Ludendorff the credit of it since Ludendorff's friends have always said that he supplied the old Mud-Marshal with brains. The amenities of the High Command are growing lively, since the Navy is also concerned, and the failure of the U-boats to check the influx of American troops needs a lot of explaining away. The good news from the Front has been received at home with remarkable composure, when one considers the acute anxiety of the last four months. But it is the way of England to endure felicity with calmness and adversity with fortitude. In the House of Lords Lord Inchcape and Lord Emmott have been propitiating Nemesis by their warnings of the gloomy financial future that is in store for us, while in the Commons the Bolshevist group below the gangway are apparently much perturbed by the prospect that Russia may be helped on to her legs again by the Allies. Mr. Dillon's indictment of the Government for their treatment of Ireland has had, however, a welcome if unexpected result. Mr. Shortt, the new Chief Secretary, an avowed and unrepentant Home Ruler, has been telling Mr. Dillon's followers a few plain truths about themselves: that they have made no effort to turn the Home Rule Act into a practical measure; that instead of denouncing Sinn Fein they had followed its lead; that they had attacked the Irish executive when they ought to have