At Haweswater, Westmoreland, some sheep were recently dug out alive after being buried in a snow-drift forty days. It is thought that a morbid fear of being sold as New Zealand mutton caused the animals to make a supreme struggle for life. *** A lady correspondent of _The Daily Telegraph_ suggests that tradesmen should economise paper by ceasing to send out a separate expression of thanks with every receipted bill. A further economy is suggested by a hardened creditor, who advocates the abolition of the absurd custom of sending out a quarterly statement of "account rendered." *** Beer bottles are now said to be worth more than the beer they contain, and apprehension is being felt lest the practice shall develop of giving away the contents to those who consent to return the empty bottles. *** Difficulty having been found in replacing firemen called up for military service, the Hendon Council, it is rumoured, are requesting the residents not to have any conflagrations for the present at least. *** Mr. JOHN INNS, of Stevenage, has just purchased the whole parish of Caldecote, Herts; but the report that he had to do this in order to obtain a pound of sugar proves incorrect. * * * * * NOTICE. In order to meet the national need for economy in the consumption of paper, the Proprietors of _Punch_ are compelled to reduce the number of its pages, but propose that the amount of matter published in _Punch_ shall by condensation and compression be maintained and even, it is hoped, increased. It is further necessary that means should be taken to restrict the circulation of _Punch_, and on and after March 14th its price will be Sixpence. The Proprietors believe that the public will prefer an increase of price to a reduction of matter. Readers are urged to place an order with their Newsagent for the regular delivery of copies, as _Punch_ may otherwise be unobtainable, the shortage of paper making imperative the withdrawal from Newsagents of the "on-sale-or-return" privilege. In consequence of the increase in the price of _Punch_ the period covered by subscriptions already paid direct to the _Punch_ Office will have to be proportionately shortened. * * * * * APOLOGY OF A WARRIOR MINSTREL. Lucasta, don't be cruel If my bewildered lyre Amidst such stores of fuel Seems reft of sacred fire. For if you know what France is You know how it is hard To blend, as in romances, The warrior with the bard. The troubadours of story Knew no such woes as we, Whose hopes of martial glory Are built on F.A.T.[1] With songs and swords and horses They learned their careless role, While we are sent on courses That starve the poet's soul. With gay anticipations They feasted ere a fight, But we in calculations Wear out the chilly night.