The Strand 1913-7 Vol_XLVI №271 July mich

BACK TO BACK BgWWoJacobs ILLUSTRATED BY WILL OWEN |RS. SCUTTS, concealed behind the curtain, gazed at the cab in uneasy amazement. The cabman clambered down from the box and, opening the door, stood by with his hands ex- tended ready for any help that might be needed. A stranger was the first to alight, and, with his back towards Mrs. Scutts, seemed to be struggling with something in the cab. He placed a dangling hand about his neck and, staggering under the weight, reeled backwards supporting Mr. Scutts, whose other arm was round the neck of a third man. In a flash Mrs. Scutts was at the door. \" Oh, Bill! \" she gasped. \" And by day- light, too ! \" Mr. Scutts raised his head sharply and his lips parted ; then his head sank again, and he became a dead weight in the grasp of his assistants. \" He's all right,\" said one of them, turning to Mrs. Scutts. A deep groan from Mr. Scutts confirmed the statement. \" What is it ? \" inquired his wife, anxiously. \" Just a little bit of a railway accident,\" said one of the strangers. \" Train ran into some empty trucks. Nobody hurt—seri- ously,\" he added, in response to a terrible and annoyed groan from Mr. Scutts. With his feet dragging helplessly, Mr. Scutts was conveyed over his own doorstep and placed on the sofa. \" All the others went off home on their own legs,\" said one of the strangers, reproachfully. \" He said he couldn't walk, and he wouldn't • go to a hospital.\" \" Wanted to die at home,\" declared the sufferer. \" I ain't going to be cut about at no 'ospitals.\" The two strangers stood by watching him ; then they looked at each other. Vol. xlvi.—H. Copyright 1013, \" I don't want—no—'ospitals,\" gasped Mr. Scutts. \" I'm going to have my own doctor.\" \" Of course, the company will pay the doctor's bill,\" said one of the strangers to Mrs. Scutts; \" or they'll send their own doctor. I expect he'll be all right to-morrow.\" \" I 'ope so,\" said Mr. Scutts, \" but I don't think it. Thank you for bringing (f me 'ome.\" He closed his eyes languidly , and kept them closed until the men had departed. \" Can't you walk, Bill ? \" inquired the tearful Mrs. Scutts. Her husband shook his head. \" You go and fetch the doctor,\" he said, slowly. \" That new one round the corner.\" \" He looks such a boy,\" objected Mrs. Scutts. \" You go and fetch 'im,\" said Mr. Scutts, raising his voice. \" D'ye hear ! \" \" But \" began his wife. \" If I get up to you, my gal,\" said the

98 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. \"'JUST A LITHE BIT OF A RAILWAY ACCIDENT,' SAID ONE OF THE STRANGERS.\" the floor, acquiesced, and sent his wife for some neighbours. One of them was a pro- fessional furniture-remover, and, half-way up the narrow stairs, the unfortunate had to remind him that he was dealing with a British working man, and not a piano. Four pairs of hands deposited Mr. Scutts with mathe- matical precision in the centre of the bed and then proceeded to tuck him in, while Mrs. Scutts drew the sheet in a straight line under his chin. \" Don't look much the matter with 'im,\" said one of the assistants. \" You can't tell with a face like that,\" said the furniture - remover. \" It's wot you might call a 'appy face. Why, he was 'arf smiling as we carried 'im up the stairs.\"

BACK TO BACK. 99 \" You're a liar,\" said Mr. Scutts, opening his eyes. \" All right, mate,\" said the furniture-re- mover ; \" all right. There's no call to get annoyed about it. Good old English pluck, I call it. Where d'you feel the pain ? \" \" All over,\" said Mr. Scutts, briefly. His neighbours regarded him with sym- pathetic eyes, and then, led by the furniture- remover, filed out of the room on tip-toe. The doctor, with a few parting instructions, also took his departure. \" If you're not better by the morning,\" he said, pausing at the door, \" you must send for your club doctor.\" Mr. Scutts, in a feeble voice, thanked him, and lay with a twisted smile on his face listen- ing to his wife's vivid narrative to the little crowd which had collected at the front door. She came back, followed by the next-door neighbour, Mr. James Flynn, whose offers of assistance ranged from carrying Mr. Scutts out pick-a-back when he wanted to take the air, to filling his pipe for him and fetching his beer. \" But I dare say you'll be up and abott in a couple o' days,\" he concluded. \"Yoj wouldn't look so well if you'd got anything •serious the matter ; rosy, fat cheeks and \" \" That'll do,\" said the indignant invalid. \" It's my back that's hurt, not my face.\" \" I know,\" said Mr. Flynn, nodding sagely ; \" but if it was hurt bad your face would be as white as that sheet—whiter.\" \" The doctor said as he was to be kep' quiet,\" remarked Mrs. Scutts, sharply. \" Right-o,\" said Mr. Flynn. \" Ta-ta, old pal. Keep your pecker up, and if you want your back rubbed with turps, or anything of that sort, just knock on the wall.\" He went, before Mr. Scutts could think of a reply suitable for an invalid and, at the same time, bristling with virility. A sinful and foolish desire to leap out of bed and help Mr. Flynn downstairs made him more rubicund than ever. He sent for the club doctor next morning, and, pending his arrival, partook of a basin of arrowroot and drank a little beef-tea. A bottle of castor-oil and an empty pill-box on the table by the bedside added a little local colour to the scene. \" Any pain ? \" inquired the doctor, after an examination in which bony and very cold fingers had played a prominent part. \" Not much pain,\" said Mr. Scutts. \" Don't seem to 'ave no strength in my back.\" \" Ah ! \" said the doctor. \" I tried to get up this morning to go to my work,\" said Mr. Scutts, \" but I can't stand— I couldn't get out of bed.\" \" Fearfully upset, he was, pore dear,\" testified Mrs. Scutts. \" He can't bear losing a day. I s'pose—I s'pose the railway com- pany will 'ave to do something if it's serious, won't they, sir ? \" \" Nothing to do with me,\" said the doctor. \" I'll put him on the club for a few days ; I

100 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. \" I should think he would,\" said Mr. Scutts, slowly—\" if he wasn't hurt.\" \" You're the last on my list,\" said the other, hastily. He produced a slip of paper from his pocket-book and placed it on the small table, with a fountain pen. Then, with a smile that was both tender and playful, he plunged his hand in his pocket and poured a stream of gold on the table. \" What do you say to thir-ty pounds ? \" he said, in a hushed voice. \" Thir-ty golden goblins ? \" \" What for ? \" inquired Mr. Scutts, with a notable lack of interest. \" For—well, to go away for a day or two,\" said the visitor. \" I find you in bed ; it may be a cold or a bilious attack ; or perhaps you had a little upset of the nerves when the trains kissed each other.\" \" I'm in bed—because—I can't walk—or stand,\" said Mr. Scutts, speaking very dis- tinctly. \" I'm on my club, and if as 'ow I get well in a day or two, there's no reason why the company should give me any money. I'm pore, but I'm honest.\" \" Take my advice as a friend,\" said the other ; \" take the money while you can get it.\" He nodded significantly at Mr. Scutts and closed one eye. Mr. Scutts closed both of his. \" I 'ad my back hurt in the collision,\" he said, after a long pause. \" I 'ad to be helped 'ome. So far it seems to get worse, but I 'ope for the best.\" \" Dear me,\" said the visitor; \"how sad ! I suppose it has been coming on for a long time. Most of these back cases do. At least all the doctors say so.\" \" It was done in the collision,\" said Mr. Scutts, mildly but firmly. \" I was as right as rain before then.\" The visitor shook his head and smiled. \" Ah ! you would have great difficulty in proving that,\" he said, softly; \" in fact, speaking as man to man, I don't mind telling you it would be impossible. I'm afraid I'm exceeding my duty, but, as you're the last on my list, suppose—suppose we say forty pounds. Forty ! A small fortune.\" He added some more gold to the pile on the table, and gently tapped Mr. Scutts's arm with the end of the pen. \" Good afternoon,\" said the invalid. The visitor, justly concerned at his lack of intelligence, took a seat on the edge of the bed and spoke to him as a friend and a brother, but in vain. Mr. Scutts reminded him at last that it was medicine-time, after which, pain and weakness permitting, he was going to try- to get a little sleep. \" Forty pounds ! \" he said lo his wife, after the official had departed. \" Why didn't 'e offer me a bag o' sweets ? \" \" It's a lot o' money,\" said Mrs. Scutts, wistfully. \" So's a thousand,\" said her husband. \" I ain't going to 'ave my back broke for nothing, I can tell you. Now, you keep that mouth o' yours shut, and, if I get it, you shall 'ave

BACK TO BACK. iot Mrs. Scutts re- monstrated, but in vain, and at half- past six the invalid, with his cap over his eyes and a large scarf tied round the lower part of his face, listened for a moment at his front door and then disappeared in the fog. Left to herself, Mrs. Scutts re- turned to the bed- room and, poking the tiny fire into a blaze, sat and pon- dered over the wil- fulness of men. She was awakened from a doze by a knocking at the street-door. It was just eight o'clock, and, inwardly con- gratulating her husband on his return to common sense and home, she went down and opened it. Two tall men in silk hats . entered the room.'' \" Mrs. Scutts? \"< said one of them. Mrs. Scutts, in a dazed fashion, nodded. \" We have come to see your hus- band,\" said the in- truder. \" I am a doctor.\" The panic-stricken Mrs. Scutts tried in vain to think. \" He—he's asleep,\" she said, at last. \" Doesn't matter,\" said the doctor. \" Not a bit,\" said his companion. \" You—you can't see him,\" protested Mrs. Scutts. \" He ain't to be seen.\" \" He'd be sorry to miss me,\" said the doctor, eyeing her keenly as she stood on guard by the inner door. \" I suppose he's at home ?i\" \" Of course,\" said Mrs. Scutts, stammering and flushing. \" Why, the pore man can't stir from his bed.\" \" Well, I'll just peep in at the door, then,\" HALLOA, SAM) THAT GENTLEMAN, WHO WAS STANDING IN THE SCULLLRY REMOVING MUD FROM HIS BOOTS. 'WHAT'S UP?'\" You said the doctor. \" I won't wake him. can't object to that. If you do \" Mrs. Scutts's head began to swim. \" I'll go up and see whether he's awake,\" she said. She closed the door on them and stood with her hand, to her throat, thinking. Then,

102 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. the coat and dragging him towards the door. \" They've never seen 'im, and they won't know the difference.\" \" But \" exclaimed the astonished James. \" Quick ! \" she said, sharply. \" Go into the back room and undress, then nip into his room and get into bed. And mind, be fast asleep all the time.\" Still holding the bewildered Mr. Flynn by the coat, she led him into the house and waved him upstairs, and stood below listening until a slight creaking of the bed announced that he had obeyed orders. Then she entered the parlour. \" He's fast asleep,\" she said, softly; \"and mind, I won't 'ave him disturbed. It's the first real sleep he's 'ad for nearly a week. If you promise not to wake 'im you may just have a peep.\" \" We won't disturb him,\" said the doctor, and, followed by his companion, noiselessly ascended the stairs and peeped into the room. Mr. Flynn was fast asleep, and not a muscle moved as the two men approached the bed on tip-toe and stood looking at him. The doctor turned after a minute and led the way out of the room. \" We'll call again,\" he said, softly. \" Yes, sir,\" said Mrs. Scutts. \" When ? \" The doctor and his companion exchanged glances. \" I'm very busy just at present,\" he said, slowly. \" We'll look in some time, and take our chance of catching him awake.\" Mrs. Scutts bowed them out, and in some perplexity returned to Mr. Flynn. \" I don't like the look of 'em,\" she said, shaking her head. \" You'd better stay in bed till Bill comes 'ome in case they come back.\" \" Right-o,\" said the obliging Mr. Flynn. \" Just step in and tell my landlady I'm 'aving a chat with Bill.\" He lit his pipe and sat up in bed smoking until a knock at the front door at half-past eleven sent him off to sleep again. Mrs. Scutts, who was sitting downstairs, opened it and admitted her husband. \" All serene ? \" he inquired. \" What are you looking like that for ? What's up ? \" He sat quivering with alarm and rage as she told him, and then, mounting the stairs with a heavy tread, stood gazing in helpless fury at the slumbering form of Mr. James Flynn. \" Get out o' my bed,\" he said at last, in a choking voice. \" What, Bill ! \" said Mr. Flynn, opening his eyes. \" Get out o' my bed,\" repeated the other. \" You've made a nice mess of it between you. It's a fine thing if a man can't go out for 'arf a pint without coming 'ome and finding all the riff-raff of the neighbourhood in 'is bed.\" \" 'Ow's the pore back, Bill ? \" inquired Mr. Flynn, with tenderness. Mr. Scutts gurgled at him. \" Outside ! \" he said as soon as he could get his breath. \" Bill,\" said the voice of Mrs. Scutts, outside

BACK TO BACK. 103 He put one mus- cular leg out of bed, and then, at the earnest request of Mr. Scutts, put it back again. In a few simple, manly words the latter apologized, by putting all the blame on Mrs. Scutts, and, re- moving his clothes, got into bed. Wrapped in bed- clothes, they passed the follow- ing day listening for knocks at the door and playing cards. By evening both men were weary, and Mr. Scutts made a few pointed remarks concerningdodging doctors and deceit- f u 1 visitors to which Mr. Flynn listened in silent approval. \" They mightn't come for a week,\" he said, dismally. \" It's all right for you, but where do I come in ? Halves ? \" Mr. Scutts had a rush of blood to the head. \" You leave it to me, mate,\" he said, controlling himself bv an effort. \" If 'i get ten quid, say, you shall have 'arf.\" \" And suppose you get more ? \" demanded the other. \" We'll see,\" said Mr. Scutts, vaguely. Mr. Flynn returned to the-charge next day, but got no satisfaction. Mr. Scutts preferred to talk instead of the free board and lodging his friend was getting. On the subject of such pay for such work he was almost eloquent. \" I'll bide my time,\" said Mr. Flynn, darkly. \" Treat me fair and I'll treat you fair.\" His imprisonment came to an end on the fourth day. There was a knock at the door, WRAPPED IN BKDCLOTH FOR KNOCKS ES, THKY PASSED THE FOLLOWING DAY LISTENING AT IDE DOOR AND PLAYING CARDS.\" and the sound of men's voices, followed by the hurried appearance of Mrs. Scutts. \" It's Jim's lot,\" she said, in a hurried whisper. \" I've just come up to get the room ready.\"

104 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. Mrs. Scutts shook her head. \" His pore back don't seem no better, sir,\" she said, in a low voice. \" Can't you do something for it ? \" \" Let me have a look at it,\" said the doctor. \" Undo your shirt.\" Mr. Flynn, with slow fingers, fumbled with the button at his neck and looked hard at Mrs. Scutts. \" She can't bear to see me suffer,\" he said, in a feeble voice, as she left the room. He bore the examination with the fortitude \" It is all yours,\" said the doctor, \" if you can walk across the room and take it from that gentleman's hand.\" \" Honour bright ? \" asked Mr. Flynn, in tremulous tones, as the other man held up the bag and gave him an encouraging smile. \" Honour bright,\" said the doctor. With a spring that nearly broke the bed, Mr. Flynn quitted it and snatched the bag, and at the same moment Mrs. Scutts, impelled by a maddened arm, burst into the room. \"WITH A SPRING THAT NEARLY BROKE THE BEL), MR. FLYNN QUITTED IT AND SNATCHED THE BAG.\" of an early Christian martyr. In response to inquiries he said he felt as though the main- spring of his back had gone. \" How long since you walked ? \" inquired the doctor. \" Not since the accident,\" said Mr. Flynn, firmly. \" Try now,\" said the doctor. Mr. Flynn smiled at him reproachfully. \" You can't walk because you think you can't,\" said the doctor ; \" that is all. You'll have to be encouraged the same way that a child is. I should like to cure you, and I think I can.\" He took a small canvas bag from the other man and opened it. \" Forty pounds,\" he said. \" Would you like to count it ? \" Mr. Flynn's eyes shone. \" Your back ! \" she moaned. \" It'll kill you. Get back to bed.\" \" I'm cured, lovey,\" said Mr. Flynn, simply. \" His back is as strong as ever,\" said the doctor, giving it a thump. Mr. Flynn, who had taken his clo hes from a chair and was hastily dressing himself, assented. \" But if you'll wait 'arf a tick I'll walk as far as the corner with you,\" he said, quickly. \" I'd like to make sure it's all right.\" He paused at the foot of the stairs and, glancing up a: the pallid and murderous face of Mr. Scutts, which protruded from the back bedroom, smiled at him rapturously. Then, with a lordly air, he tossed him five pieces of gold.

AStuduMats O ML GerirudeBacon OT everyone is, perhaps, aware Messrs. that part of the stock - in- similar trade of every old-established enabled hatter is a large number of human charts, maps, plans, call them what you will, of his customers' heads. These are obtained by means of an instrument called a \" brow,\" which can be adjusted with screws to any size or shape, and which, being accurately fitted to the cranium, will provide the necessary contour on which the hat is subsequently moulded. The majority of people, it is true, are content with ready-made hats, just as they are with ready-made boots and shoes ; but many prefer, and a number are compelled, to have their hats made for them. The advan- tage of having a block at the hatter's is, of course, obvious. It ensures a perfect fit, at any time, without the neces- sity of a personal visit. The disadvantage—that it places the hatter in possession of purely personal secrets, is not generally considered. Through the kindness of Messrs. Lincoln and Bennett, Vol. xlvi.-t2. Henry Heath, and other firms of world-wide reputation, we are here to present a number of these curious diagrams, including those belonging to some of the most celebrated men of our day. The study of them reveals at once some interesting facts. One is that the left side of the head is almost always larger than the right, due, it is said, to the universal practice of using the right hand more than the left. Another curious point is that nationality consider- ably affects the shape of the head. It would surely be an interesting subject for a biologist to explain why it is that the nearer the equator a race resides the rounder their heads become. No one needs reminding of the round, bullet - shaped skull of the negro, but the hatter will assure us that a Frenchman's head is rounder than an Englishman's, and similarly an Englishman's rounder than a Scotsman's. The average

io6 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. the head-chart of that celebrated Scotsman the late Duke of Argyll, which, in proof of the racial characteristics already referred to, may well be contrasted with the typically- French head of the Prince Imperial (Fig. 3). German heads, on the average, are rounder than English, and broader at the back. Irish heads, in general, are long, like the Scotch, but scarcely as narrow. The Slavonic head is narrow in front and very broad at the back. When the recent Peace Conference took place in London a few months ago, the first thing that the delegates of the Balkan States did on arrival was to call on Messrs. Heath with a demand to be immediately fitted out with the top hats that their new position necessitated ; and that famous firm was well-nigh nonplussed to provide, at instant notice, hats of so totally unusual shape. As a fine example of the highest form of individual his 6$. In striking contrast to this stands the largest hat which the same famous hatters have ever supplied, a hat no less than 9J inches long and proportionately broad—a giant hat, almost as capacious as a hat-box, and which literally swallows up any evefy-day sample placed within it. Its owner, however, was no giant, neither was he a man of unusual attainments. A peculiar, and happily rare, disease which enlarges the bones of the head, was indeed responsible for the strange development which caused his hat to establish a record in the annals of hat-making. Naturally following these largest and smallest hats, may be instanced (from Messrs. Heath's collection) the roundest and the longest (that is to say, in proportion to the width)—Figs. 1 and 2, on the preceding page. To contemplate these side by side is to marvel at the vagaries of Nature 4. fig. 5. in each cask the figures in the ovals show the size of hat worn, while the liter part of each denotes the forehead. Asiatic head, we may instance the shape of Sir Mancherjee Merwanjee Bhownagree, the eminent Parsee lawyer, philanthropist, and man of letters (Fig. 4). The size of the head, as is well known, does not correspond, except in a general sense, to the size of the body. A child's head is, of course, smaller than a man's, and it is only to be expected that the hat of that famous dwarf Tom Thumb (Fig. 5) should have been a particularly miniature specimen. Small as this was, however (only 5 J), this Lilliputian silk hat has not been the smallest which Messrs. Lincoln and Bennett have been called upon to produce. Tom Thumb's great (or rather, minute) rival, General Mite, required a hat of but size 5^, a veritable toy of a \" topper,\" but which the tiny gentleman wore with as much satisfaction as an ordinary which should envelop two sets of human brains in such widely different cases. It is not difficult to understand how necessary it must be for the owners of such abnormal

A STUDY IN HATS. 107 between size of head and cleverness. Many clever men, it is true, have big heads, but so have many lunatics and imbeciles. The weight of the brain is a surer guide to its quality than the size of the head. Other things being equal, brain-weight corresponds with intelli- gence. The average weight for a man is from forty-six to fifty-three ounces — of a woman from forty - one to forty - seven (a bitter fact for advocates of the superiority of the fairer sex). The heaviest human brains known were Dr. Abercrombie's, which was sixty-two and a half ounces, and Cuvier's, the great French naturalist, an ounce and a half heavier. It falls to the lot of but few- geniuses, however, to have this test applied to them. The brain of a man, on the whole, is about one-fortieth of the weight of his body. Of a dog, but one hundred-and-twentieth. Only two kinds of animal, the whale and elephant, have larger brains than man, but in both these the proportion to the weight of the body is greatly less. But it is in the shape of head, rather than in the weight or in the size, that the true nature is displayed. Quite instinctively we realize this fact and form our own judgments. To take one most famous example, surely not one of his loyal subjects could fail to recognize, from picture, photograph, or actual observation, the \" good head \" of the late King Edward (Fig. 6). Phrenologists or no, we can all of us trace immedi- ately in the hatter's pat- tern—b road, shapely, and symmetrical, the kindliness, the humanity, the consum- mate tact and knowledge of mankind that made Edward the Peacemaker the revered and beloved of all the world. King Edward took a 7Jr in hats—his illustrious nephew the Emperor of Germany has a 6$ \" easy \" (Fig. 7). His head is also very talented and sym- metrical, and, for a German, quite unusually long. German heads, as already stated, are generally round — that of the late Duke of Cambridge (Fig. 8) being much more typical in this respect.

THE STRAND MAGAZINE. for his country as of yore—Lord Napier of Magdala and Lord Roberts (Figs. a and ic). The hatter is perforce less of a judge of fight- ing men than of those of other callings, for the skull-developments that indicate courage and combativeness come too low down on the head to be touched by his \" brow.\" But however necessary these characteristics may be. there are other, and even higher, qualities necessary for the great General—the cautious- ness and prudence that give the wide back to the head, and the firmness or even obstinacy (of the bulldog description) that is indicated by the pointed forehead. These, at least, we trace in fullest measure in the contours before us, as also in the rounder shape of that illustrious sailor. Lord Fisher (fig. 11). Turn now to Parliament, and head-shapes of famous statesmen and Ministers. It were prominent foreheads are better tempered and more amiable than those whose foreheads are sunken. Compare with this head that of another famous member of Parliament of past years, Samuel Morley. In his pattern a great and almost unusual breadth of the back of the skull is observed, indicating cautiousness. A man with this development will accept no statement on hearsay, will most carefully weigh the evidence for every fact, and will decide only after long and earnest deliberation. A very fine head, and rather a large one, belonged to that famous and heroic man, Professor Fawcett, M.P. Afflicted above most mortals by the loss of his sight, he did not allow even this heavy handicap to unfit him for his life's work, and, rising superior to his blindness, led an existence of honour and useful labour for his country. Especially Lord Fisher. 61 The Speaker. 71 Mr. A. J. Balfour. FIG. II. Fit but appropriate and graceful to begin the list with the present Speaker (Fig. 12). It is surely more than a coincidence that his hat-shape is practically precisely the same as that of King Edward. This is, indeed, entirely what we might expect from two men holding each beneficent sway over others, secure in the affectionate esteem that perfect courtesy, unswerving justice, and unrivalled tact confer. A fine large head was that of the late Right Honourable W. H. Smith, M.P., the staunch and trusty statesman, affectionately known in Punch as \" Old Morality,\" respected and beloved by all for his unflinching integrity and sterling qualities of heart and brain. Sense and virtue are in every line, and kindness and benevolence in the broad and prominent forehead. It is a curious fact, by the way, that this last indication prevails even in the brute creation. It has again and again been observed that horses and dogs with full or

A STUDY IN HATS. 109 FIG. 14. thinks out, we have a splendid example in Lord Avebury (Fig. 15). These qualities give the broad forehead, the \" noble brow,\" the searching eye that are so unmistakable when we see them at scientific gathering and learned meeting. It is a curious fact that Lord Avebury's hat would have been an equally good fit for Sir Arthur Sullivan (Fig. 16), who represents Music in our collection. We cannot fail to observe how wonderfully- broad in the front is the hat-shape of that Prince of Actors, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (Fig. 17). This is because at this part of the head are situated the organs of Imitation, endowing with histrionic power, and Ideality, the love of the beautiful and refined, and the appre- fig. 15. fig. 16. these qualities and be both long and wide. Following in these lines, the most perfect pattern of our collection belonged to Dr. Benson, the late Archbishop of Canterbury (Fig. 18). This is entirely as it should be, and gives surest proof of the wisdom and judgment of the choice which placed at the head of the Church a man so eminently fitted for that highest of all posts. In Bishop Benson's head we have the wide, high forehead of the deep thinker, the rounded brows which tell of benevolence, veneration, and religious feeling, the fullness of the back announcing affection, unselfishness, and sympathy, the breadth which gives tact, and the length which confers steadfastness. Such a shape as this, matching fig. 17. fig. 18. ciation of the artistic. Thrice happy com- bination that gives to a grateful public the superb productions ever associated with \" His Majesty's \" ! It has been stated, as a general axiom, that those who wear long hats are clever and affectionate, those who wear wide hats have common sense, tact, and savoir faire. The ideal head, therefore, would combine all as it does so faithfully the character of the man who bore it, should be enough to convince even the most sceptical of the close connection which exists between a man's qualities and the shape of the hat he wears ; which all goes to prove the truth of an oft- repeated contention that the hatter may, if he pleases, be the surest judge of human nature.

PERPLEXITIES. Witt Some Easy Puzzles for Beginners. By Henry E. Dudeney. 146.-WATER, GAS. AND ELECTRICITY. THERE are some half-dozen puzzles, as old as the hil's, that are |>erpetually cropping up, and there is hardly a month in the vear that does not bring inquiries as to their solution. Occasionally one of these, that one had hoped was an ex- tinct volcano, bursts into eruption in a surprising manner. For some quite un- known reason I have lately received an extraordinary num- ber of letters (four of them from the United States) re- specting the ancient puzzle that I have called \" Water, Gas, and Electricity.\" It is much older than electric lighting, or even gas, but the new dress brings it up to date. The puzzle is to lay on water, gas, and electricity, fr.jm W, G, and E, to each of the three houses, A, B, and C, without any pi[>e crossing another. Take your pencil and draw lines showing how this should be done. You will soon find yourself landed in difficulties. My answer next month must serve as a reply to my many correspondents. (h (h Ch 147.—AN OLD THREE-LINE PUZZLE. Here is another old stager about which people are always writing to me. There are two different ways in which the puzzle is presented. 1. Draw the simple diagram herewith in three strokes of the pencil without ever going over the same line twice or lifting your pencil from the paper during a stroke. 2. Draw the diagram on a slate and then rub it out in three rubs. I believe Houdin, the conjurer, was fond of showing this to his child friends, but it was invented before his time—perhaps in the Stone Age. 148.—CURTAILMENT. You need me not; my office is To wait upon the dead. Remove my tail, lop off my ears, But do not touch my head. I'm often silent now—but stop, For mercy's sake don't let me drop ! 149.—FIND ADA'S SURNAME. This puzzle bears a family likeness to \" The Dutchmen's Wives \" (our No. 16). It was recently submitted to a Sydney evening newspa[>er that indulges in \" intellect sharpeners,\" but was rejected with the remark that it is childish and that they only published problems capable of solution ! Five ladies, accompanied by their daughters, bought cloth at the same shop. Each of the ten paid as many farthings per foot as she bought feet, and each mother S[>ent 8s. 5}d. more than her daughter. Mrs. Robinson spent 6s. more than Mrs. Evans, who spent about a quarter as much as Mrs. Jones. Mrs. Smith s|>ent most of all. Mrs. Brown bought 21 yards more than Bessie—one of the girls. Annie bought 16 yards more than Mary and spent £3 os. 8d. more than Emily. The Christian name of the other girl was Ada. Now,

ET A STORY FOR CHILDREN. By E. NESBIT. Mill CHAPTER X. (continued). ND now the tramp, tramp, tramp of the great army- sounded nearer and more near, and through the dimly - lighted water the children could see the great Deep Sea people advancing. Very terrible they were, big far beyond man-size, more stalwart and more finely- knit than the Forlorn-hopers who had led the attack so happily and gloriously frustrated by the Crabs, the Narwhals, and the Sea-urchins. As the advance guard drew near all the children stared, from their places of concealment, at the faces of these terrible foes of the happy Merland. Very strong the faces were, and, surprisingly, very, very sad. They looked—Francis at least was able to see it—like strong folk suffering proudly an almost intolerable injury—bearing, bravely, an almost intolerable pain. \" But I'm on the other side,\" he told himself, to check a sudden rising in his heart ar. of—well, if it was not sympathy, what was it ? And now the head of the advancing column was level with the Princess. True to the old tradition which bids a commander to lead and not to follow his troops, she was the first to dart out and fix a shell to the heel of the left-rank man. The children were next. Their practice bore its fruit. There was no blunder, no mistake. Each Oyster-shell clipped sharp and clean the attached ankle of an enemy ; each Oyster- shell at the same moment attached itself firmly to the rock, thus clinging to his base in the most thorough and military way. A spring of joy and triumph welled up in the children's hearts. How easy it was to get the better of these foolish Deep Sea folk. A faint, kindly contempt floated into the children's minds for the Mer-people, who so dreaded and hated these stupid giants. Why, there were fifty or sixty of them tied by the leg already ! It was as easy as The pleasant nature of these reflection.'

112 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. had kept our four rooted to the spot. In the triumphant performance of one duty they failed to remember the duty that should have followed. They stood there rejoicing in their victory, when by all the rules of the Service they should have rushed back to the armoury for fresh weapons. The omission was fatal. Even as they stood there rejoicing in their cleverness and boldness, and in the helpless anger of the enemy, something thin and string-like spread itself round them—their feet caught in string, their fingers caught in string, string tweaked their ears and flattened their noses— string confined their elbows and confused their legs. The Lobster-guarded doorway seemed farther off—and farther, and farther .... They turned their heads : they were following backwards and against their will a retreating enemy. \" Oh, why didn't we do what she said ? \" breathed Cathy. \" Something's happened ! \" \" I should think it had,\" said Bernard. \" We're caught—in a net.\" They were. And a tall Infantryman of the Underfolk was towing them away from Merland as sw'iftly and as easily as a running child tows a captive air-balloon. CHAPTER XI. Those of us who have had the misfortune to be caught in a net in the execution of our military duty, and to be dragged away by the enemy with all the helpless buoyancy of A TALI. INFANTRYMAN OF THP. UNDRRFOLK WAS TOWING THEM AWAY FROM MERI.AND AS SWIFTLY AND AS EASILY AS A RUNNING CHILD TOWS A CAPTIVE AlR-BALIOON.\"

WET MAGIC. 113 captive balloons, will be able to appreciate the sensations of the four children to whom this gloomy catastrophe had occurred. The net was very strong—made of twisted fibrous filaments of seaweed ; all efforts to break it were vain. And they had, unfortu- nately, nothing to cut it with. They had not even their oyster-shells, the rough edges of which might have done something to help, or at least would have been useful weapons if, and when, the Infantryman stopped and opened the net. The discomfort of their position was extreme. They were, as Cathy put it, all mixed up with each other's arms and legs, and it was very difficult and painful to sort themselves out without hurting each other. \" Let's do it one at a time,\" said Mavis, after some minutes of severe and unsuccessful struggle. \" France first. Get right away, France, and see if you can't sit down on a piece of the net that isn't covered with us, and then Cathy can try.\" It was excellent advice, and when all four had followed it it was found possible to sit side bv side on what may be called the floor of the net, only the squeezing of the net- walls tended to flip one up from one's place if one wasn't very careful. By the time the rearrangement was com- plete and they were free to look about them the whole aspect of the world had changed. The world, for one thing, was much darker— in itself, that is—though the part of it where Vol. xWi.— ia. the children were was much lighter than had been the sea where they were first netted. It was a curious scene—rather like looking down on London at night from the top of St. Paul's. Long, bright things—like trams or omnibuses—were rushing along, and smaller lights, which looked mightily like cabs and carriages dotted the expanse of blackness till, where they were thick-set, the darkness disappeared in a blaze of silvery light. Other light-bearers had rows of round lights like the portholes of great liners. One came sweeping towards them, and a wild idea came to Cathy that perhaps when ships sink they go on living and moving under water just as she and the others had done. Anyhow, this was not one of them, for, as it came close, it was plainly to be perceived as a vast fish, with phosphorescent lights in rows along its gigantic sides. It opened its jaws as it passed, and for an instant they shut their eyes and felt that all was over. When their eyes were opened again the mighty fish was far away. Cathy, however, was discovered to be in tears. \" I wish we hadn't come,\" she said, and the others could not but feel that there was some- thing in what she said. They comforted her and themselves as best they could by express- ing a curious half-certainty which they had that everything would be all right in the end. As I said before, there are some things so horrible that if you can bring yourself to face

H4 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. The barest idea of poetic justice—which we all believe in at the bottom of our hearts— made it impossible to think that the children who had nobly (they couldn't help feeling it was noble) defended their friends the Mer- folk should have anything really dreadful happen to them in consequence. And when Bernard talked about the fortunes of war, he did it in an unconvinced sort of way, and Francis told him to shut up. \" But what are we to do ? \" sniffed Cathy, for the twentieth time—and all the while the Infantryman was going steadily on dragging the wretched netful after him. \" Press our pearl buttons,\" suggested Francis, hopefully, \" then we shall be invisible and unfeelable, and we can escape.\" He fumbled with the round, marble - like pearl. \" No, no,\" said Bernard, catching at his hand. \" Don't you see ? If we do, we may never get out of the net. If they can't see us or feel us they'll think the net's empty, and perhaps hang it up on a hook or put it away in a box.\" \" And forget it while years roll by. / see,\" said Cathy. \" But we can undo them the minute we're there, can't we ? \" said Mavis. \" Yes, of course,\" said Bernard, but as a matter of fact they couldn't. When at last the Infantryman, after thread- ing his way through streets of enormous rocky palaces, passed through a colossal arch and so into a hall as big as St. Paul's and West- minster Abbey into one, a crowd of Under- folk, who were seated on stone benches round rude tables eating strange luminous food, rose up and cried, \" What news ? \" \" Four prisoners,\" said the Infantryman. \" ' Upperfolk,'the Colonel said, and my orders are to deliver them to the Queen herself.\" He passed to the end of the hall and up a long, wide flight of steps made of something so green and clear that it was plainly either glass or emerald, and I don't think it could have been glass, because how could they have made glass in the sea ? There were lights below it which shone through the green trans- parency, so clear and lovely that Francis said, dreamily :— Sabrina fair, Listen where thou art sitting Under the glassy cool translucent wave. And quite suddenly there was much less room in the net and they were being embraced all at once and with tears of relief and joy by the Princess Freia—their own Mer-Princess. \" Oh, I didn't mean to, Princess, dear—I didn't,\" said Francis. \" It was the emerald steps—made me think of translucent.\" \" So they are,\" she said ; \" but, oh, if you knew what I've felt ! You, our guests, our knight-errants, our noble defenders, to be prisoners; and all of us safe ! I did so hope you'd call me. And I'm so proud that you didn't—that you were brave enough not to call for me until you did it by accident.\"

WET MAGIC. \"5 uncouth,\" heavy Underfolk. And he looked sad, too. They were clad in robes of richest woven seaweed, sewn with jewels, and their crowns were like dreams of magnificence. Their throne was of one clear, blood-bright ruby, its canopy of green drooping sea- weed gemmed with topazes and amethysts. The Queen rose and came down the steps of the throne and whispered to her whom she called Submersia, and she in turn whispered to the four other large ladies, who held each a captive. And with a dreadful unanimity the five acted—with one dexterous movement they took off the magic jackets, and with another they removed the useful tails. The Princess and the four children stood upon the table on their own ten feet. \" What funny little things ! \" said the King, not unkindly. \" Hush ! \" said the Queen. \" Perhaps they can understand what you say—and, at any rate, that Mer-girl can.\" The children were furious to hear their Princess so disrespectfully spoken of. But she herself remained beautifully calm. \" Now,\" said the Queen,\" before we destroy your memories, will you answer questions ? \" \" Some questions, yes ; others, no,\" said the Princess. \" Are these human children ? \" \" Yes.\" \" How do they come under the sea ? \" \" Mer-magic. You wouldn't understand,\" said the Princess, haughtily. \" Were they fighting against us ? \" \" Yes,\" cried Bernard and Mavis, before the Princess answered. \" And lucky to do it,\" Francis added. \" If you will tell us the fighting strength of the Merlanders your tails and coats shall be restored to you and you shall go free. Will you tell ? \" \" Is it likely ? \" the Princess answered. \" I am a Mer-woman and a Princess of the Royal House. Such do not betray their country.\" \" No, I suppose not,\" said the Queen. And she paused a moment before she said, \" Administer the cup of forgetfulness.\" The cup of forgetfulness was exceedingly pleasant. It tasted of toffee and cocoa-nuts and pineapple ices and plum-cake and roast chicken, with a faint under-fiavour of lavender, rose-leaves, and the very best eau-de Cologne. The children had tasted cider-cup and champagne-cup at parties, and had disliked both, but oblivion-cup was delicious. It was served in a goblet of opal, coloured in dreamy- pink and pearl—and green and blue and grey —and the sides of the goblet were engraved with pictures of beautiful people asleep. The goblet passed from hand to hand, and when each had drunk enough the Lord High Cup- bearer, a very handsome, reserved-looking fish, laid a restraining touch on the goblet and, taking it between his fins, handed it to the next drinker. So, one by one, each took

n6 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. you, pet ? \" she said, caressing Kathleen, who, to the horror of the others, answered : \" Yes, awfully, dear Queen,\" and kissed the caressing hand. \" As for the rest of you,\" said the Queen, \" it is evident from your manner that the draught of oblivion has not yet taken effect on you. So it is impossible for me to make presents of you to those prominent members of the nobility who are wanting pets, as I had intended. We will try another draught to-morrow. In the meantime—the fetters, jailer ! \" A tall, sour-looking Underman stepped forward. Hanging over his arm were scaly tails, at first sight of which the children's hearts leaped, for they hoped they were their own. But no sooner were the tails fitted on than they knew the bitter truth. \" Yes,\" said the Queen,\" they are false tails. You will not be able to take them off, and you can neither swim nor walk with them. You can, however, move about quite comfortably on the floor of the ocean. What's the matter ? \" she asked the jailer. \" None of the tails won't fit this prisoner, your Majesty,\" said the jailer. \" I am a Princess of the reigning Mer- House,\" said Freia, \" and your false, degrading tails cannot cling to me.\" \" Oh, put them all in the lock-up,\" said the King. \" As sullen a lot of prisoners as ever I saw—what ? \" The lock-up was a great building, broader at the top than at the bottom, which seemed to be balanced on the sea floor, but really it was propped up at both ends with great chunks of rock. The prisoners were taken there in the net, and being dragged about in nets is so confusing that it was not till the jailer had left them that they discovered that the prison was really a ship, an enormous ship, which lay there, perfect in every detail as on the day when it first left dock. The water did not seem to have spoiled it at all. They were imprisoned in the saloon, and, worn out with the varied emotions of the day, they lay down on the comfortable red velvet cushions and went to sleep. Even Mavis felt that Kathleen had found a friend in the Queen and was in no danger. The Princess was the last to close her eyes. She looked long at the sleeping children. \" Oh, why don't they think of it ? \" she said. \" And why mustn't I tell them ? \" There was no answer to either question, and presently she, too, slept. I wish I had time to tell you about all that happened to Kathleen, because the daily life of a pampered lap-child to a reigning Queen is one that you would find most interesting to read about. As interesting as your Rover or Binkie would find to read—if he could—about the life of one of Queen Alex- andra's Japanese spaniels. But time is getting on, and I must make a long story short. And, anyhow, you can never tell all about everything, can you ?

WET MAGIC. 117 \" What was he King of ? \" the Princess asked, anxiously. \" He was King of the Barbarians,\" said the jailer's son, and the Princess sighed. \" I thought it might have been my father,\" she said. \" He was lost at sea, you know.\" The Underlad nodded sympathetically and went away. \" He doesn't seem such a bad sort,\" said Mavis. \" No,\" said the Princess. \" I can't under- stand it. I thought all the Underfolk were terrible, fierce creatures, cruel and impla- cable.\" \" And they don't seem so very different from us, except to look at,\" said Bernard. \" I wonder,\" said Mavis, \" what the war began about ? \" \" Oh, we've always been enemies,\" said the Princess, carelessly. \" Yes; but how did you begin being enemies ? •\" \" Oh, that,\" said the Princess, \" is lost in the mists of antiquity—before the dawn of history, and all that.\" \" Oh ! \" said Mavis. But when Ulfin came with the next meal (did I tell you that the jailer's son's name was Ulfin ?), she asked him the same question. \" I don't know, little land-lady,\" said Ulfin, \" but I will find out. My uncle is the Keeper of the National Archives, graven on tables of stone, so many that no one can count them ; but there are smaller tables telling what is on the big ones.\" He hesitated. \" If I could get leave to show you the Hall of the Archives, would you promise not to try to escape ? \" They had now been shut up for two days, and would have promised anything in reason. \" You see, the prisons are quite full now,\" he said, \" and I don't see why you shouldn't be the first to get your leave-tickets. I'll ask father.\" \" I say,\" said Mavis. \" What do you say ? \" said Ulfin. \" Do you know anything about my sister ? \" \" The Queen's new lap-child ? Oh, she's a great pet. Her gold collar with her name on it came home to-day. My cousin's brother- in-law made it.\" \" Her name ? Kathleen ? \" said Mavis. \" The name on the collar is Fido,\" said Ulfin. The next day U fin brought their tickets-, of-leave, made of the leaves of the tree of Liberty which grows at the bottom of the well where Truth lies. \" Don't lose them,\" he said, \" and come with me.\" They found it quite possible to move along slowly on hands and tails, though they looked rather like seals as they did so. He led them through the strange streets of massive passages, pointing out the buildings and giving them their names, as you might do if you were showing the marvels of your own city to a stranger. \" That's the Astrologer's Tower,\" he said,

n8 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. they went to war at once, and, of course, after that you couldn't expect him to apolo- gize. And the war has gone on off and on and on and off ever since.\" \"And won't it ever stop?\" asked Bernard. \" Not till we apologize, which, of course, we can't, or till they mm \"THEY FOUND IT QUITE POSSIBLE TO MOVE ALONG SLOWLY ON HANDS AND TAILS, THOUGH THEY LOOKED RATHER LIKE SEALS AS THEY DID SO.\" find out why the war began and that it wasn't our fault.\" \" How awful ! \" said Mavis. \" Then it's all really about nothing ? \" \" Quite so,\" said the Keeper. \" What are your wars about ? The other question I shouldn't answer, only I know you'll forget it when the oblivion-cup begins to work. Ulfin tells me it hasn't begun yet. Our King and Queen are imported. We used to be a Republic, but Presidents were so uppish and so grasping, and all their friends and relations, too, so we decided to be a Monarchy, and that all jealousies might be taken away we imported the two handsomest land-folk we could find. They've been a great success, and, as they have no relations, we find it much less expensive.\" (To be concluded.)

CURIOSITIES. t [ We shall be glad to receive CotUributions to this section, and to pay for such as are accepted.} A HIDDEN PORTRAIT. THIS photograph, which was taken at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia, on February 17th this year, shows my little daughter, Lillian Gould, feeding the swans. It certainly makes a pretty picture, but the snapshot is sent to you for quite another reason. It contains a hidden portrait, which you will notice on turning the picture upside down, and the face which stands out so clearly very much resembles that of Mr. Arthur J. Balfour.—Mr. F. H. Gould, 250, Young Street, Winnipeg, Man., Canada. o A UNIQUE NOTICE BOARD. NE is familiar with Beware of the \" Beware of the Trains,\" Steam-Roller,\" and other warning signs, but it has been left to the military authorities to erect the first signboard warning people against aeroplanes. This is erected on Salis- bury Plain, near the Central Flying School, where the naval and mili- tary flying men are trained; and there is good reason for the danger- board, for on busy days aeroplanes pass and repass over the plain with such frequency that an unsuspecting civilian might easily receive damage from one of the defensive \" wasps \" of Great Britain. The day is not far distant, pro- bably, when similar notice boards will be seen all over the country.—Mr. C.J. L. Clarke, 5 and 6, Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, E.G. A HOUSE MADE OF BUS TICKETS. AT different times pictures have appeared in The Strand Magazine of various things made with tram or omnibus tickets, but I think the house shown in the accompanying illustration beats them all. The number of tickets used was 9,500—all being from the No. 20 service—while the fares paid for them amount to £64 8s. iod. The tickets were folded together in fours of each colour, i.e., pink, white, yellow, blue, green, purple, heliotrope, and orange. Needless to say, it took me a long time to obtain enough tickets to make up a sufficient number of sets of the different colours. The height of the model is ift. 6in., the length ift. 6in., and the depth ift.—Mr. H. Lawson, 13, Dewsbury Crescent, Chiswick. THE QUEEREST MAIL-CARRIER IN THE WORLD. THIS title can certainly be claimed by Mr. Dick

120 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. AN IDEA WORTH IMITATING. THE above photograph suggests an excellent idea for those who happen to live in a \" tramp \" district, as the old adage \" Once bit, twice shy,\" would assuredly hold good in this case. Were it not for the fact that this \" snap\" was taken in the Vale of Aylesbury, and that the \" pursuer \" is stuffed, the consequences might be quite as serious as the picture suggests.—Mr. Stanley H. Robinson, 167, Castellain Mansions, Maida Vale, W. MONUMENT TO ADAM. THIS monument erected to the \" memory of Adam, the first man,\" is the only one of its kind in America, and probably in the world. It was erected in 1909 by Mr. John P. Brady, a well-known contractor and builder, of Baltimore, at his country place, \" Hickory Ground,\" near Gardenville, in the north-eastern suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. It is composed of stone, bronze, and cement, and is sur- mounted by a very large and accurate sundial, especially calculated and constructed for the latitude in which the monument is erected, N. Lat. 390 20'. Surrounding the hour figures, in a circle on the dial, is the motto, \" Sic Transit Gloria Mundi \" (So Passes the Glory of the World), and the date, 1909, and on either side of the shaft is a sunken panel with sunken letters, the two reading :— \" This, the First Shaft in America, is Erected To the Memory of Adam, the First Man.\" The monument has naturally attracted much atten- tion. Mr. Brady has stated, among other things, in a newspaper interview, that \" where so many others of lesser worth have been honoured, he thought it about time that something was done for Adam.\"—Mr. Claude L. Woolley, 302, W. Madison Street, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. A CRICKET CURIOSITY. THE REV. H. K. WOODWARD, while acting as Chaplain to the City of London Mental Hospital at Stone, got the accompanying snapshot, in August, 1912. While the hospital team was batting a rather erratic bowler of the North Kent United got in a straight one, and as a result the off bail fell off and the leg bail slid along and balanced itself on the middle stump. Seeing that something unusual had happened Drs. Patterson and Simpson and the Chaplain ran to the wicket, with the result that out of the Chaplain's bag was produced a camera—and here we have the result. Have any of our readers ever seen quite the same thing ? Solution of Last Months Bridge Problem. The bystander was right. A and B could win Jive tricks out of the seven. Play as follows :— The card underlined wins the trick. The card immediately beneath is led to the next trick. AYBZ Hearts queen Hearts king Spades 4 Hearts 3 Clubs 4 Clubs 6 ? Clubs knave Clubs 8 Hearts knave! Clubi 10 Clubs 7 Clubs 9 Hearts 4 Hearts 7^ Spades knave Hearts 6 And B must win the rest If, at Trick 3, Y leads a diamond, A trumps his partner's kins; with the 4, and A B win six tricks. This was the play that A had in view, but Y knew better than to fall into the trap.