Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, October 24, 1917   By: Various

VOL. 153.

OCTOBER 24, 1917.

CHARIVARIA.

Those who think that people in high positions live a life of ease and comfort received a rude shock last week. It is said that, while visiting the Royal Enfield Works canteen, the Duke of CONNAUGHT drank two glasses of Government ale.

Britons have no monopoly of pluck, it seems. Last week a Basuto soldier attached to a labour battalion offered the LORD MAYOR'S coachman a cigarette.

Two German bankers, formerly of London, have been arrested in New York as dangerous aliens. Neither of them is a member of our Privy Council.

It is understood that the Spanish Government has addressed a note to the Allies explaining that all possible precautions will have been taken against the forthcoming escape of U23.

The PREMIER has received the magnificent gold casket containing the freedom of the City of London conferred on him last April. A momentary excitement was caused by the rumour that the Corporation had thrown off all restraint and filled it with tea.

A Brigadier General has been fined for shooting game on Sunday in Hampshire. Sir DOUGLAS HAIG, we understand, has generously arranged to close down the War on the first Wednesday in every month, in order that the Higher Command may assist in supplying the hospitals with game.

Seven lunatics have escaped from a South Wales Asylum. It is assumed that they got away by disguising themselves as German prisoners.

It has been decided that Counsel may appear before the High Court dressed as Special Constables. It seems almost certain that this news was withheld from Sir JOHN SIMON until he had definitely consented to join Sir DOUGLAS HAIG'S Staff.

Two million pounds of jam per week, "the greater part strawberry," are being, it is stated, delivered to the Army. Only the fact that the Army Service Corps' labels all happen to be "plum and apple" prevents the stuff being distributed to our brave troops.

Attempts to destroy livestock destined for the Allies are being investigated, says a New York paper. Only a few days ago, it will be remembered, a certain Legation discovered that its seals had been tampered with.

It is announced that the War Office has taken over "the greater part" of the new London County Hall. Our casualties were insignificant.

We are sorry to say that Mr. CHARLES HAWTREY'S latest success, The Saving Grace , is not dedicated to Sir ARTHUR YAPP.

There is no foundation for the report that the recent postponement of the production of Cash on Delivery at the Palace was due to the fact that a new joke was alleged to have been let loose in Mr. Justice DARLING'S court.

Extravagant funerals have been condemned by Sir JOHN PAGET at the Law Society Appeal Tribunal, and undertakers are complaining that in consequence many of their best customers have decided to postpone their interment till better times.

"Cats should be brought inside the house during air raids," says the Feline Defence League. When left on the roof they are liable to be mistaken for aerial torpedoes.

According to the Cologne Gazette German soldiers on the Western Front have formed "Wilhelm Clubs," the members of which are compelled on oath to undertake the work of gaining information about the British lines. We understand that the terms for life membership are most moderate.

A German prisoner named BOLDT has escaped from Leigh internment camp. It is stated that he would have experienced no additional difficulty in escaping if he had been called by any other name.

"We want no patched up peace," says Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD. But if the assaults upon pacifist meetings continue we feel sure there will be some patched up peacemongers.