Now the walkers who seem to be stuck on the hill, They are Jessamine, Joseph and Japhet and Jill, And Allie and Sally and Tumbledown Bill, And Farnaby Fullerton Rigby. R.C.L. * * * * * King Peter of Servia. (From _The Daily Mirror_.) "The proclamation, however, as given in a later message, reads thus:--To My Beloved People: As I shall be prevented by illness from exercising my royal power for some time, I order, by Article 69 of the Constitution, that so long as my cure lasts the Crown Prince Alexander shall govern in my name. On this occasion I recommend my dear fatherland to the care of the Almighty. (Signed) Peter." "On this occasion" is perhaps a little invidious. * * * * * Two consecutive books in _The Western Daily Press_ list of publications received:-- "Ring Strategy and Tactics. Charles Dickens in Chancery." The boxing boom continues. * * * * * THE EMERGENCY EXIT. [Illustration: Scene--_A Tight Place_. Child Herbert (_to "Wicked Baron"_). "MY LORD, I HAVE EVER REGARDED YOU AS A PESTILENT VILLAIN--NAY WORSE, AN HEREDITARY IMBECILE. I THEREFORE RELY ON YOUR BENEFICENT WISDOM TO FIND ME A WAY OUT OF THIS SINISTER WOOD."] * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. (Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.) _House of Commons, Monday, June 22._--Great muster of forces on both sides. Not wholly explained by second reading of Budget Bill standing as first Order. A section of Ministerialists, purists in finance, took exception to proposed procedure. Holt, spokesman at mouth of new Cave, put down amendment challenging Chancellor of Exchequer's proposals. Here was chance for watchful Opposition. If some thirty Ministerialists would go with them into Lobby it would not quite suffice to turn out Ministry; but it would be better than a Snap Division, with its personal inconvenience of preliminary hiding in bath-rooms and underground cellars. Cassel, adding to Parliamentary reputation studiously attained, raised subject on point of order. Underlying suggestion was that Budget Bill should be withdrawn and reintroduced under amended form of procedure. Speaker, whilst admitting irregularity, stopped short of approving extreme course. Pointed out that the matter might be put right by moving fresh resolutions. This disappointing. Worse to follow. The Infant Samuel, making fresh appearance in new part of understudy of Chancellor of Exchequer, conceded point of procedure made by Radical Cave. Promised objection should be fully met. Holt, amid ironical cheers from Opposition, said in these circumstances would not move amendment. Incident reminded Walter Long of story of the Colonel and the opossum up a tree. "Don't shoot!" said the Opossum; "I'll come down." Chancellor of the Exchequer had come down. No need for Colonel Holt to discharge his gun.