[Illustration: SIR VAVASOUR, HAVING DRAGGED THE NOW ALMOST UNCONSCIOUS MAIDEN TO THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF, WAS ABOUT TO THROW HER OVER, WHEN ... [Illustration: THE ARTIST CHANGED HIS MIND AND TURNED THEM INTO A COUPLE DANCING THE TANGO.] * * * * * At a dinner to Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD, the chairman referred to "the two wings of the Labour movement." Two wings, unfortunately, do not make an angel. * * * Some pigeons, it is stated, have built their nests and are rearing their young at the very point of the Tower Bridge bascules. The S.P.C.A., always alert, is presumably moving in the matter with a view to the bridge being closed until the little family is out in the world. * * * The expression, "The Theatre of War," gets more apt every day. During the Balkan War the Servians and Montenegrins used a rattle to imitate machine-gun fire, and a machine has now been devised for imitating the noise of an aeroplane engine, with the object of alarming hostile troops. * * * "We like the stories of men who joked on their death-beds," says _The Times_ in a leader. Now that _The Times_ has signified its approval we shall never be surprised to see this become Society's latest hobby. * * * The Duke of DEVONSHIRE has sold a portion of his library, consisting of early editions of SHAKSPEARE and CHAUCER, to an American dealer for L200,000. His Grace is said to have calculated that, if he replaced these books by the nice handy little editions which are now to be obtained for sixpence and a shilling a-piece, the transaction would mean a considerable profit for him. * * * A skeleton, which is computed to be 150,000 years old, has been discovered by a German professor. From the position in which it was found it is conjectured that the man was drowned, and the police will no doubt take the matter up, and the relatives will, if possible, be communicated with. * * * In an age when cheapness seems to be most persons' ideal, it is refreshing to note that there has been placed on the market a musical instrument which frankly calls itself the Dea Piano. * * * * * SONG. IN the sunshine went the bee Busily, O busily; White birds flashed upon the sea, White cliffs mounted dizzily; There a shepherd tuned his reed For the maiden of his need: "Shepherdess," he piped, "give heed!" Long ago in Sicily. "As the sky your eyes are blue," He continued wittily (When he said this it was new-- Just come south from Italy); And she let her lids downfall (This was then original) At the marvel of it all-- Prettily, O prettily.