_I receive every day circulars from gentlemen who assure me that they know for certain the winners of forthcoming races and asking me to let them send me this information for a consideration. Do you think I should be wise in doing so? Naturally I want to make my fortune.--H. M. (Epping)._ We reply to your question by asking another. How is it that these gentlemen, with all their advantages of foreknowledge, are still so anxiously in business? Our Feathered Friends. _Can you tell me how I can obtain information as to the means of identifying the songs of birds? I hear a great many near our house in the country, but I cannot put names to them. I am told that when Colonel Roosevelt was last in England Sir Edward Grey took him for a long walk in the New Forest to instruct him in English ornithology. Do you think he would take me? I am a strong Free Trader and have traces of American blood.--B. B. L. (Dorking)._ Sir Edward Grey, we fancy, has other things to do. You had better write to "W. B. T." of _The Daily Mail_, or in his regrettable absence to "P. W. D. I." A Guide to Manners. _I have a son for whom I desire a political future. What I should like to get for him is a Member of Parliament who would converse with him on statecraft, the British constitution and so forth, but it would have to be one who was jealous for the honour and dignity of the House, and I need hardly say that I should not care for a Liberal. Can you give me any hints?--J. K. (Henley)._ We strongly recommend Mr. Ronald McNeill, Mr. Amery, Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke, or Lord Winterton. Aiding his Suit. _Although an utterly unathletic man I am paying court to a lady who dotes upon male proficiency in games. How would you advise me to forward my cause?--M. L. G. (Harrow)._ We should advise you to put yourself into knickerbockers and a golfing attitude and be photographed. Judging by their present contents, there is not a paper in the country that would not be glad to print the picture, and then you could show it to the lady and win. * * * * * A WELCOME FLAW. "You look worried," said Diana, "very worried, dear." I smiled sadly. "It can't be helped," I said. "Did you like my cake?" "Very much; it wasn't that. I am a little worried, Diana." "What a pity. Will you have some more, dear?" "No, thank you." Diana leant forward and cut a very large slice. "No, really, thank you," I insisted. "Right; this is for me." "Diana," I said, "I've something on my chest." She looked surprised. "Yes, there's something on my chest. I speak in a spiritual sense." "Well, hadn't you better tell me what it is, dear?" "I will," I said stoutly. "Diana, this--this engagement can't go on." There was no fire in the room, so I gazed blankly into the radiator. "What on earth do you mean, Dick?" "It can't go on," I repeated. "Why? Dick, you're joking." "Joking!" I laughed a hollow mocking laugh. "Don't make it hard for me, Diana."