Nor is it only statesmen who haunt the great palace. Nowhere else but here, where JAMES I.'S company of actors, including WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE, performed, can Mr. HENRY AINLEY obtain the requisite atmosphere which inspires his swift variety of impersonations, and I am told that his sudden remark of, "Oh, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth," made to one of the attendants who had been for many years in the army, was nearly the cause of a slight fracas. Mr. H. G. WELLS has sometimes been seen staring open-mouthed at the painting of the Olympian cosmogony which adorns the ceiling and walls of the Grand Staircase, and in the wych-elm bower Sir J. M. BARRIE tells me that he often thinks out the titles of his new plays. It was here, in fact, whilst he was weighing the delicate question, "Why did Alice-Sit-By-the-Fire?" that the sudden happy answer occurred to him, "Because Mary Rose." * * * * * P.S.--I forgot to say that Lady DIANA DUFF-COOPER frequently comes down here. Or, at any rate, if she doesn't, I shall say she does, because I always mention her in my paragraphs. V. * * * * * MY STRONG SUIT. Not for me the profiteer's Lucky hauls, But a prospect of lean years That appals; Yet, although I dimly grope On an ever downward slope, I espy one gleam of hope-- Overalls. When the experts prophesy Further squalls, And my income, never high, Falls and falls, Then the twenty-guinea suit Is to me forbidden fruit, But I cordially salute Overalls. Not to mention other woes, Other calls, Paying tailors through the nose Greatly galls; So farewell, expensive tweeds, Though my manly bosom bleeds, For the situation needs Overalls. * * * * * "NURSERY Governess (not over 40) wanted for three children, girl 10 years, twins (boy 2, girl 8)."--_Times._ Oh, gemini! * * * * * [Illustration: MANNERS AND MODES. THE HARDENING EFFECTS OF WAR. IF THE BRONTOSAURUS CAME TO LONDON.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Smythe de Willoughby._ "WAS THE GROCER'S BOY IMPUDENT AGAIN THIS MORNING, CLARA, WHEN YOU TELEPHONED THE ORDER?" _Clara._ "'E WAS, MUM! BUT I DIDN'T 'ARF GIVE 'IM WOT FOR. I SEZ, 'WHO D'YER BLINKIN' WELL THINK YOU'RE A-TALKIN' TO? I'M MRS. SMYTHE DER WILLOUGHBY!"] * * * * * ELIZABETH AND HER YOUNG MAN. The study door burst open and one end of Elizabeth--the articulate end--was jerked into view. "Wot will you 'ave for lunch?" she demanded breathlessly. "Lamb or 'am?" Abruptly recalled from the realms of fiction-writing, I (her mistress) looked up a little dazed. "'Lamb or 'am,'" I repeated dully, "lamorram? Er--ram, I think, please, Elizabeth."