There was a renewed discussion of the censorship of pamphlets. Sir GEORGE CAVE ably defended the regulations, but did not convince everyone that his preference for confiscation over prosecution was entirely sound. The idea that the publishers of these pamphlets would welcome advertisement is probably erroneous, or why was it necessary to insist that they should put their names to them? Mr. SPENCER HUGHES'S humorous attack upon the CENSOR was much applauded on the Liberal benches. Some of the more brilliant passages would have received even wider appreciation if a good many Members had not heard them a week before from the lips of Mr. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL at a non-political luncheon. _Thursday, December 13th_.--Lord BERESFORD charged the PRIME MINISTER with having two voices, like _Caliban's_ monster. Lord CURZON flatly declined to accept the suggestion that Cabinet Ministers were collectively responsible for one another's speeches--"they had far more serious things to think of." The phrase seems a little depreciatory, but as Mr. LLOYD GEORGE, according to his candid colleague, is "constitutionally an optimist" he will no doubt make the best of it. Mr. HOUSTON was informed that sweets "for military, naval or civil consumption" were still being imported, but that the Ministry of Shipping made no special provision for their carriage. No one, therefore, need grudge Sir ERIC GEDDES the lozenge which he so ostentatiously popped into his mouth just before making his speech on Admiralty administration, or inquire too curiously whether it was consumed by him in his capacity of Major-General, Vice-Admiral or Civilian Minister. Despite the warning of the SPEAKER that it was not in the national interest to embarrass the Administration, Mr. KING insisted on trying to discuss forbidden topics. At last Lord ROBERT CECIL "espied strangers," and we must assume that, without the vivifying presence of the reporters, Mr. KING'S oratory wilted, for an hour afterwards the House was up. * * * * * [Illustration: _Polite Stranger_. "EXCUSE MY TURNING MY BACK UPON YOU, SIR." _Curmudgeon_. "SIR, I KNOW OF NO OBLIGATION ON YOUR PART TO LOOK AT ME."] * * * * * THE REWARD OF PATRIOTISM. "Major ---- has placed the mansion at the disposal of the War Office, and will be in charge of Sister ----."--_Provincial Paper_. * * * * * THINGS OVERHEARD IN WAR-TIME. "There couldn't be room there for _all_ the Jews, could there?" * * * * * "After waiting two hours I got half-a-pound." * * * * * "It should be made compulsory." * * * * * "Wherever else these matches strike, they won't strike on the box." * * * * * "I just turned over and went to sleep again." * * * * *