_Thursday, November 1st_.--A full House heard Sir ERIC GEDDES make his maiden speech, or rather read his maiden essay, for he rarely deviated from his type-script. A very good essay it was, full of well arranged information, and delivered in a strong clear voice that never faltered during an hour's recital. If we were to believe some of the critics the British Navy is directed by a set of doddering old gentlemen who are afraid to let it go at the Germans and cannot even safeguard our commerce from attack. The truth, as expounded by the FIRST LORD, is quite different. Despite the jeremiads of superannuated sailors and political longshoremen, the Admiralty is not going to Davy Jones's locker, but under its present chiefs, who have, with very few exceptions, seen service in this War, maintains and supplements its glorious record. Save for an occasional game of "tip and run"--as in the case of the North Sea convoy--enemy vessels have disappeared from the surface of the oceans; and "the long arm of the British Navy" is now stretching down into the depths and up into the skies in successful pursuit of them. If the nation hardly realises yet what it owes to the men of the Fleet and their comrades of the auxiliary Services it is because their work is done with "such thoroughness and so little fuss," and, as Mr. ASQUITH put it, "in the twilight and not in the limelight." * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE: _Charing Cross_.--"BUY A BIT O' SHRAPNEL, MISTER?"] * * * * * "Alderman ---- was fined £5 for aiding and abetting his game-keeper in feeding pheasants with guano."--_Liverpool Daily Post_. He must have thought it would be good for their crops. * * * * * From a New Zealand official report: "When sawing a piece of timber F----'s left thumb came into contact with saw, cutting it." People with thumbs like this ought not to be allowed to handle delicate instruments. * * * * * "The first draft sale of the Gloucestershire Old Spots speaks volumes for the black and white pig.. .. Nor must the beautifully-marked pig 'Bagborough Charm VII.,' farrowed 1817, be forgotten."--_Farmer and Stockbreeder._ It seems, however, to have been overlooked for some time. * * * * * "'By heavens, it's the Germans!' cried Captain Jansson later, at last awake to the truth. 'Call all hands and make for the boats.' He turned the wheel hard astern and stopped the ship."--_Daily Mail._ Something had gone wrong, we suppose, with the foot-brake. * * * * *