But peace no less than war finds an outlet for the energies of the old sea-dog, and the veriest hint of a railway strike finds him ready with flotillas of motor lorries in commission and himself in his flag char-a-banc, aptly named the Queen of Eryx, at their head. Lever, marlin-spike or steering wheel, it is all one to the brain which can co-ordinate squadrons as easily as rolling-stock, to the man who is now sometimes known as the Stormy Petrol of the Cabinet. Yet even so the sailor is strongest in him still. It is not generally known that Sir ERIC has already cocked his weather eye at our inland waterways as an auxiliary line of defence in case of need. Experience has taught him that it is even now quicker to travel, let us say, from Boston (Lincs.) to Wolverhampton, by river and canal than by rail, and the future may yet see Thames, Trent and Severn churned to foam by motor barges of incredible rapidity, distributing the nation's food supplies. This is one of the things that the Ministry of Transport has, so to say, up its sleeve, and is alone a sufficient answer to those who suggest that this Ministry has outlived its hour. There is a grim Norse spirit amongst its officials, inspired perhaps by their chieftain's name, and already the plans for a first-class Pullman galley are under way. As LONGFELLOW sings:-- "Never saw the wild North Sea Such a gallant company Sail its billows blue; Never, while they cruised and quarrelled, Old King Gorm or Blue Tooth Harold, Owned a ship so well apparelled, Boasted such a crew." K. * * * * * "Mr. P. G. H. Fender, the Surrey cricket captain who has gone out with the M.C.C. team to Australia, is preparing a book on the tour, for which he has chosen the title of 'Defending the Ashes.'"--_Weekly Paper._ Quite the proper function for a FENDER. * * * * * [Illustration: _Tailor (to yokel who has brought suit back)._ "WHAT'S WRONG? DON'T THEY FIT?" _Yokel._ "OH, AY, THEY _FIT_ ALL RIGHT, BUT (_pointing to fashion-plates_) WOT'S USE O' THEY PICTURES IF YOU BAIN'T GOIN' TO BIDE BY UN."] * * * * * ELFIN TENNIS. Once in a fold of the hill I caught them-- All by my lone was I-- Out on the downs one night in Autumn, Under a moonlit sky. There on a smooth little green rectangle Sparkled the lines of dew; Over the court with their wings a-spangle Four little fairies flew; Skeleton leaves in their hands for racquets (All in a ring around Brownies and elves in their bright green jackets Watched from the rising ground). Then, as I crept up close for clearer Sight of the Fairy Queen, _Oberon_, throned on a toadstool near her, Carolled out "Love fifteen." Over a net of the fairies' knitting (Fine-spun gossamer thread) Smallest of tiny puff-balls flitting Hither and thither sped.