The sky is some'ow bluer there--in fact, I never knew As any sun could be so 'ot or any sky so blue; There's figs an' dates an' suchlike things all 'angin' on the trees, An' black folks walkin' up an' down as natural as you please. I always wished to see the world, I'm fond o' life an' change, But ABDUL got me in the leg; an' this is passin' strange, That when you see Old England's shore all wrapped in mist an' rain, Why, it's worth the bloomin' bundle to be comin' 'ome again! * * * * * A FAIR EXCHANGE. From _The Gazette of India_:--- "Delhi, the 16th December, 1915.--No. 100-C. With reference to Notification No. 2529, dated the 21st October 1915, Mr. H. W. Emerson, Indian Civil Service, is appointed Under Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Revenue and Agriculture, s. _p. t._ with effect from the forenoon of the 29th November 1915 and until further orders.--F. NOYCE, Offc. Secretary to the Government of India." "Simla, the 16th December 1915.--No. 2842. With reference to Notification No. 2417, dated the 19th October 1915, Mr. F. Noyce, Indian Civil Service, is appointed Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Revenue and Agriculture, s. _p. t._, with effect from the forenoon of the 29th November 1915 and until further orders.--H. W. EMERSON, Under Secretary to the Government of India." * * * * * "Jamaica has removed the embargo on the exportation of logwood to British possessions and also to America and ports in France and Italy."--_The Times._ A mixed blessing. There's too much logwood in some ports as it is. * * * * * From _A Little Guide to Essex_:-- "Steeple Bumpstead (see Bumpstead, Steeple). Bumpstead, Steeple (see Steeple Bumpstead).... Bumpstead, Helions (see Helions Bumpstead). Helions Bumpstead (see Bumpstead, Helions)." * * * * * "THE MAN THAT BROKE THE BACK OF MONTENEGRO." [Illustration: FRANZ-JOSEF, THE MAMMOTH COMEDIAN, IN HIS STUPENDOUS (AND UNIQUE) SUCCESS.] * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. (Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.) _House of Commons, Monday, January 17th._--To-day's sitting included episode justly described by REDMOND as miraculous in relations between Ireland and her sisters in the family of the Empire. In Committee on Military Service Bill question promptly raised on exclusion of Ireland. Amendment moved by Unionist Member for Belfast to make Bill operative in the three Kingdoms. Significant note struck at outset by PRIME MINISTER. Overwhelmed with work, unable to take personal charge of Bill in Committee, he deputed task, not to Home Rule IRISH SECRETARY, to whom it officially belonged, but to the Unionist COLONIAL SECRETARY.