But no, we never grouses in the Roy'l Artillerie, Of cheerful things to think there's quite a lot; Old Sergeant Blobbs is goin' 'ome the end of Februree To do instructin' stunts at Aldershot; The S.M.'s recommended ('Eavens!) for commissioned rank, An' little changes means a step up 'ere, So if I keep me temper an' go easy with vang blank, I'll soon drop "_actin_'" off the "bombardier." * * * * * [Illustration: WHO FOLLOWS?] * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. [Illustration: OPPOSITION APPROVAL OF THE NEW BOYS. { MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (_patting Sir EDWARD CARSON on the back_) } { MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (_patting Mr. BONAR LAW on the back_) } "HE'S BEEN TALKING SENSE."] _Monday, February 19th_.--The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER announced that the "new money" subscribed for the War Loan amounted to at least seven hundred millions. Being a modest man he refrained from saying, "A loan, I did it," though it was largely due to his faith in the generosity and good sense of his fellow-citizens that the rate of interest was not more onerous to the State. Mr. LYNCH thinks it would be a good idea if Ireland were specially represented at the Peace Conference, in order that her delegates might assert her right to self-government. I dare say, if pressed, he would be prepared to nominate at least one of her representatives. Having regard to the Nationalist attitude towards military service Mr. BALFOUR might have retorted that only belligerents would be represented at the Peace Conference, but he contented himself with a simple negative. There is an erroneous impression that Mr. LLOYD GEORGE sits in his private room scheming out new Departments and murmuring like the gentleman in the advertisement of the elastic bookcase, "How beautifully it grows!" Up to the present, however, there are only thirty-three actual Ministers of the Crown, not counting such small fry as Under-Secretaries, and their salaries merely amount to the trifle of £133,500. It is pleasant to learn that a branch of the Shipping Controller's department is appropriately housed in the Lake Dwellings in St. James's Park; and, in view of Mr. KING'S objection that the members of the Secret Service with whom he has come into contact make no sort of secret about their business (one pictures them confiding in this gentleman), it is expected that the Board of Works will shortly commandeer a strip of Tube Railway to conceal them in.