Apparently the Moody of the Moody-Manners Opera Company is gaining the upper hand. This Company opened its London season with _The Dance of Death_. * * * The appearance in Bond Street last week of a lady leading a little pig instead of a dog as a pet is being widely discussed in canine circles, though it has not yet been decided what action, if any, shall be taken. In view of the fact that so many dogs are pigs it is possible that no objection will be raised to one pig being a dog. * * * By the way, _The Daily Chronicle_ was not quite correct when, in describing the recent "Dog Feast," in which the Shepherds Bush Indians were alleged to have participated, it used the expression "pow-wow." Owing to the action of the Canine Defence League a sheep was roasted and not a pow-wow. * * * A motor-bus ran into a barber's shop in Gray's Inn Road last week, and three customers had a close shave. * * * Some burglars recently blew open with gelignite the safe of a Holborn jeweller containing L1,000 worth of gems, and, as the jewels are missing, the police incline to the view that the object of the men must have been robbery. * * * Asked by _The Express_ for a suggestion for a motto for the L.C.C., Mr. H. DE VERE STACPOOLE sent the reply, "My word is sovereign." It is good to know that this delightful writer can command an even higher rate of pay than did Mr. RUDYARD KIPLING at the height of his popularity. * * * _The Daily Herald_ informs us that the Russian monk, RASPUTIN, "started life as an illiterate peasant." But, we would ask, is there really anything remarkable in this? We believe that the number of persons who have been born literate is extremely small. * * * Says an advertisement in _T.P.'s Weekly_:--"Reader receives guests--Leigh-on-Sea, facing sea, minute cliffs." It is honourable of the advertiser to mention the minuteness of the cliffs. This is, we fear, a characteristic of the Essex coast. * * * Among "Businesses for Sale" in _The Daily Chronicle_, we come across what looks like an ugly example of military venality:--"GENERAL for Sale, taking L16 a week; going cheap." * * * Finally, we have the pleasure to award first honorary prize in our Pathetic Advertisement Competition to the following--also from _The Daily Chronicle_:-- "Fish (Fried) and Chips for Sale, owing to wife's illness: only one in neighbourhood." We trust that the advertiser's addiction to monogamy is not confined to the neighbourhood. * * * * * Illustration: WE UNDERSTAND THAT, IN VIEW OF THE POPULAR REVIVAL OF BOXING, DR. STRAUSS HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO WRITE A GRAND OPERA ROUND THE NOBLE ART. THE ABOVE REPRESENTS THE FINALE. * * * * * OXFORD IN TRANSITION. INTERVIEW WITH A FAMOUS PORTER. (_BY HAROLD BEGTHWAYT._)