And, lo, it seemed the Downs amid I'd found a folded bit of Britain, Laid by in lavender and hid The year--let's say--_Tom Jones_ was written; An old farm manor-house it is With fantails fluttering on the gables, A place of men and memories And solid facts and homespun fables. For Fact: a fortnight passed me by Mid ancient oak and secret panel And strawberries of late July And distant glimpses of the Channel; Fair morns to wake on--were they not?-- Full of the pigeons' coo and cadence, Each day a page of CALDECOTT, All cream and flowers and pretty maidens. For Fable: as I smoked a pipe And havered with a black-haired cowman, Grey-eyed, in that fine Celtic type, As much the poet as the ploughman-- "Seems kind of lucky here," said I; "The very ducklings look more downy Than others do." He grinned: "An' why? May happen, Sir, we feeds a brownie! "'There isn't many left,' says you; As hearts grow hard the breed gets rarer; Yet, when he goes, the luck goes too, And prices fall and boards be barer; But if so be you does your part An' feeds him fair and treats folk proper, Keepin' for all the kindly heart-- The lucky Lad's a certain stopper!" *** Well, should you go by Butser way And hit the god-sent path, and follow, You'll find, at closing of the day, The old house in the valley-hollow, Laid by in lavender, forgot, The home of peace and ancient plenty; A brownie may be there or not-- The hearts are kind enough for twenty! * * * * * Cause and Effect? "Of the five catalpa trees in the Embankment-gardens the finest has been blighted. The tree is close to the National Liberal Club."--_Leicester Daily Mercury._ * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT OF THE DAWN?] * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. (EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.) [Illustration: Snapshots of certain Members who were _not_ on their way to or from the Conference. Their expressions reflect the pessimistic view which they entertained from the first as to its chance of success in their absence. (Sir WILLIAM BYLES, Mr. HOGGE, Mr. KEIR HARDIE, Mr. JOHN WARD, Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN, Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL.)]