increase in rail way fares had been postponed until August 5th, in order
not to spoil the Bank Holiday, was far from satisfying the House. Mr.
Clynes pointed out that large numbers of the working-classes now took
their long holidays in August. Mr. Palmer was of opinion that the
working-classes could pay well enough; it was the middle-class that
would suffer most; and Mr. R. McNeill, following up this assertion,
suggested (without success) that for the sake of poverty-stricken M.P.'s
the House should adjourn before the fateful date.

Sir H. Greenwood gave particulars of the Sinn Fein raid on the Dublin
Post-Office, but declined to give an opinion as to whether there had
been any collusion with the staff inside. Judging by the promptitude and
efficiency of the raiders' procedure it seems highly improbable that
postal officials had anything to do with it.

* * * * *

"Each day the barometer seems to drop a little lower, the rain
seems to drop a little more persistent and wet."--_Provincial
Paper_.

It is this persistent wetness that is so annoying. Nobody would mind a
little dry rain.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Farmer._ "I wonder what some of these London folks
'ud say to this?"

_Farm-hand._ "Zay? They'd zay as we must be makin' our fortunes out