toilers. It was their duty to secure the best possible constitution,
and then to force that constitution upon all neighbouring people, if
needs be, at the point of the bayonet. He was not an alarmist, and
said exactly what he meant. He had no wish to beat about the bush. War
was the Hand-servant of Peace, and the sooner that servant came back
the better. He did not wish to threaten, but he told Russia and France
that Germany was ready to begin, when and where they chose to meet
him. But he might again remark it was splendid weather, and he saw
nothing but blue sky.

_Authorised Version_ (_all others declared to be misleading and
inaccurate_).--His Imperial Majesty merely observed that it was a fine
day.

* * * * *

ON BOARD A YACHT.--The conversation at lunch-time had turned on recent
publications. A learned Theban from Oxford inquired of the Skipper,
if he had seen the "_Rig-Veda_." "What sort of Rig's that?" asked the
Skipper, a bit puzzled. But the Oxonian wisely declined a rigmarole
explanation, and told him that all further inquiries must be made to
Professor MAX MÜLLER.

* * * * *

FEELING THEIR WAY.

(_A STUDY IN THE ART OF GENTEEL CONVERSATION._)

SCENE--_The Drawing-room of a Margate Hotel. Time--evening.