"Amended and more stringent regulations concerning the lights of London have been issued by Sir E. R. Henry, the Commissioner of Police. A number of them are in the same terms as those which were published in _The Globe_ nearly a month ago, but others make important changes. For example, the third order, as originally drafted, ran: 'The intensity of the inside lighting of shop fronts must be reduced from 6 p.m. or earlier if the Commissioner of Police on any occasion so directs', but it is now as follows:-- The intensity of the inside lighting of shop fronts must be reduced _from 6 p.m. or earlier if the Commissioner of Police on any occasion so directs_."--_Globe._ The italics ought to make it a lot darker. * * * * * Gifts of money for the purchase of blankets are being made in Germany not less than here, and we understand that a large sum has been sent out to South Africa addressed: "De Wet Blanket Fund." * * * * * Illustration: HIS MASTER'S VOICE. THE KAISER (_to Turkey, reassuringly_). "LEAVE EVERYTHING TO ME. ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO IS TO EXPLODE." TURKEY. "YES, I QUITE SEE THAT. BUT WHERE SHALL _I_ BE WHEN IT'S ALL OVER?" * * * * * Illustration: _Talkative Passenger._ "I SEE THAT THE YOUNG EARL OF HARBORO' HAS JUST DONE A VERY PLUCKY ACT AT THE FRONT." _Rabid Socialist_ (_indignantly_). "WELL, SO HE OUGHT." * * * * * THE MISUSED TALENT. (_A mild apostrophe to the young man next door._) Augustus! ever prone at eve to gurgle a Melodious distych from the music-halls, Piping in summer from beneath a pergola, Piping to-day behind these party-walls, Three months ago and more, when Mars had thrust us In doubt and dread alarm and cannons' mist, I found one solace, for I mused, "Augustus Will probably enlist. "I know not what his dreams of glory may be, I know not if his heart is full of grit, But I do know that he disturbs the baby, And, judging by his lungs, he must be fit; His is the frame, or else I've never seen one, His are the fitting years to fight and roam, He has no ties (except that pink and green one) To tether him to home. "When he returns he'll possibly be sager; If not (for glory of his long campaign) We shall be thrilled to hear the sergeant-major Singing the good old songs he loved again; Bellona, too, has something of the witch in her; It may be he will learn more tact and grace When that mild tenor has been turned by KITCHENER Into a throaty bass."