SVEN HEDIN has received the honorary degree of Doctor from Breslau University--as a reward, presumably, for doctoring the truth. * * * "GERMAN PREPARATIONS IN BELGIUM. 6-MILE GUNS IN POSITION."--_Star._ It sounds like a 30,000 foot cinema film. * * * * * IN A GOOD CAUSE. The least that we others can do is to see that those who have joined the colours don't have too dull a time in camp during the long evenings. Messrs. JOHN BROADWOOD AND SONS are organizing concerts which will serve the further good purpose of helping many professional musicians whose incomes have been reduced by the war. It is hoped to give 200 of these entertainments during the winter. Each is estimated to cost about L10. The Directors of Messrs. BROADWOOD have privately subscribed L500 towards the carrying out of this scheme, and they would be glad to receive generous help from the public. Subscriptions should be addressed to them at Conduit Street, Bond Street, W. * * * * * OUR WAR ENQUIRY BUREAU. _Answers to Correspondents._ _Mother of the Gracchi._--If your son is under age, below the standard height, is obliged to wear coloured glasses, suffers much from face-ache, and frequently has carbuncles, we fear his chances of obtaining a commission in the Household Cavalry are nil. _Anxious to help._--The pistols used by your grandfather during the Peninsular War would not, we are afraid, be of any use to your nephew in the present campaign. _All-British Matron._--We regret that we do not quite understand from your letter whether it is your new Vicar that you suspect of pro-German proclivities, or the pew-opener. We advise you to communicate with the nearest Rural Dean or Archdeacon. _Troubled Parent._--We fear that your boy will be obliged to dispense with his hot-water bottle now that he has joined the Army, and it would be no use your writing to his commanding officer about the matter. _Aunt Alice._--Lord KITCHENER hardly ever accepts invitations to tea-parties, but it was nice of you to think of asking him. * * * * * "Dans l'Est, nous avons du refuser une suspension d'armes, probablement destinee a l'inhumation des blesses." To judge from this extract from _Le Nord Maritime_ the French still lack a true appreciation of German culture. * * * * * Illustration: OWING TO THE OUTCRY AGAINST HIGH-PLACED ALIENS A WEALTHY GERMAN TRIES TO LOOK AS LITTLE HIGH-PLACED AS POSSIBLE. * * * * * TRUTHFUL WILLIE. [_Suggested by an American's interview with the CROWN PRINCE and also by WORDSWORTH'S "We are Seven"._] A simple earnest-minded youth, Who wore in both his eyes A calm pellucid lake of Truth-- What should he know of lies? I met a gentle German Prince, His name was Truthful WILL, An honest type--and, ever since, His candour haunts me still.