Messrs. Sowerly and Bitterton, the well-known vinegar manufacturers, have
undertaken to provide the necessary plant for illustration of the famous
exploit of splitting the rocks with that disintegrating condiment, and
Messrs. Rappin and Jebb, the famous cutlers, have been approached with a
view to furnish the necessary implements for the portrayal of the tragedy
of the Caudine Forks. Professor Chollop, who is superintending the taking
of the pictures of the battle of Cannæ and the subsequent period of repose
at Capua in their proper atmosphere, states that he is receiving every
support from the local condottieri, pifferari, banditti and lazzaroni, and
expects to be able to complete his task by the late autumn.

A certain amount of antagonism, on humanitarian grounds, has been shown by
the Italian Government to the importation of a herd of elephants, which
were essential to the realistic depiction of the passage of the Alps by the
Carthaginian army; but it is hoped that by the use of skis the transit may
be effected without undue casualties among the elephantine fraternity.

Lord FISHER has been invited to impersonate SCIPIO, and the _rôle_ of
FABIUS, the originator of the "Wait and See" policy, has been offered to
Mr. ASQUITH, but authentic details are as yet lacking as to their decision.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE BLAMELESS ACCOMPLICE.

IRISH RAILWAYMAN (_to Sinn Fein Assassin_). "YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT. DETESTING
MURDER, AS MR. THOMAS SAYS I DO, I'VE TAKEN CARE THAT THAT FELLOW SHOULD
HAVE NO AMMUNITION."