_Wednesday, July 11th_.--In the matter of the Mesopotamia Report a large section of the public and the Press is in the mood of _Sam Weller_, "Ain't nobody to be whopped?" Anxious to satisfy this demand and at the same time to do justice to the individuals arraigned, the Government proposes to set up a special tribunal under the Army (Courts of Inquiry) Act. That measure, passed to deal with the strange case of the Bashful Lieutenant and the Lively Lady, and now to be utilized for this considerably larger issue, appears to resemble the elephant's trunk in its singular adaptability. But there was a tendency in both Houses to regard the procedure as more ingenious than statesmanlike. _Thursday, July 12th_.--The HOME SECRETARY announced that it had been decided to warn the public in future when an air-raid was actually imminent, and added that the exact method would be stated shortly. I am glad that he did not accept Sir FRANCIS LOWE'S proposal to set the telephone-bells ringing all over London. Think of the language which would proceed from a hundred thousand agitated subscribers, deceived into answering supposed "calls," when they ought to be making for their dug-outs. The gist of a very long speech by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL was that the Press had mistaken the Mesopotamia Commission for a Hanging Committee, whereas it much more resembled a Fishing Expedition. But his new tribunal found little favour with the House, especially when it was discovered that it would have no power to try the civilians affected. One of them, Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, announced his resignation--much to the regret of Mr. BALFOUR, who has no intention of following his example or of allowing Lord HARDINGE to do so. In the end it was decided that there must be an entirely new tribunal, which can deal fairly--and, one hopes, finally--with both soldiers and civilians. But it is now even betting that the Mesopotamia laundry-work will outlast the duration of the War. * * * * * [Illustration: _Visitor to a country churchyard_ (_seeing elderly gentleman listening hard, presumably to the choir singing in the church_). "IT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL, ISN'T IT?" _Elderly gentleman_ (_naturalist, listening to the grasshoppers_). "AND THE WONDERFUL THING IS THAT THEY DO IT BY RUBBING THEIR LEGS TOGETHER."] * * * * * "Ex-P.C. and wife will take care of your residence during holidays or other period; p.c. will receive prompt attention."--_Sheffield Telegraph._ But what about p.c.'s wife? * * * * * "The bride's going-away dress was a silver cigarette case."--_Dover Telegraph_. We don't like this new fashion for brides. It is too suggestive of "weeds." * * * * * "Ale and beer--Brew your own, 4½ gallons for 1s.; intoxicative; no malt; legal; two trade recipes, 1s."--_Cork Examiner_.