_The Times_ has been discussing the question as to whether khaki is the best protective colour for soldiers. In this connection it is worth noting that the uniforms worn by the men of KITCHENER'S Army appear to render them almost completely invisible to the correspondents of German newspapers in this country, who report that there is only a mere handful of these soldiers. * * * By the way Colonel MAUDE pointed out recently in _Land and Water_ that it is essential that our gunners should be able to watch our infantry closing on the enemy, and that in this respect khaki is a drawback. We now hear that the wide-awake Germans are taking the hint, and that their new uniforms will have scarlet backs, which will not only help their artillery, but will act as a powerful deterrent should their troops think of running away. * * * Extract from a Book Merchant's Catalogue:--"I venture to assert no more acceptable gift could be sent to our Heroes on Active Service than a few cwts. of Literature. A book is the best of all companions and always useful, for one in the breast pocket has been the means of saving many a man's life in action." A Society for supplying every recruit with a complete set of _The Encyclopædia Britannica_ is now, we believe, in process of formation. * * * A book which is stated to have been "kept back on account of the war" is entitled _Hell's Playground_. One would have thought it would have been peculiarly _à propos_. * * * A live frog has been discovered embedded in a piece of coal hewn from a colliery in the Forest of Dean. It is thought that the colliery owners, by means of a series of bonuses like this, intend to make their coal look almost worth the price that is now being charged for it. * * * Frankly we were not surprised to hear that the moon was full a little while ago. In these times our own planet is certainly not a very desirable place. * * * It is now stated that Herr LIEBKNECHT, the Socialist leader, who was called to the colours a few days ago, has been relieved of service in the Landwehr. This is most annoying as it throws out all the carefully calculated figures of our experts as to the number of men Germany is putting into the field. * * * Even the Censor nods occasionally. _The Tailor and Cutter_ has been allowed to state that a Holborn tailor is making a uniform for a sergeant in KITCHENER'S Army who stands 6 ft. 8 ins. high. The fact that we have a man of these dimensions in reserve was, we understand, to have been one of our surprises for Germany. * * * * * [Illustration: _Small Military Enthusiast._ "AUNTIE, DO YOU MIND IF I MAKE THE GERMANS WIN JUST ONE BATTLE NOW AND THEN? THEY'RE GETTING WORN OUT."] * * * * * THE MARK OF THE BEAST. (_With acknowledgments to a cartoon by Mr. WILL DYSON._)