Notes and Comments.

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1287, 13 September 1910, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

Thk strange coincidence of two alleged British spies being arrested in Germany and one alleged German spy being arrested in England is surprising only in the fact that the military authorities at Portsmouth actually interfered with a foreigner taking' photographs and sketches of the harbour fortifications. Of course, the English officers mitigated this discourtesy by cntertainiug the spy in the most'igentlemanly maimer at their mess. For good old John Bull simply delights ;n showing his hand and offering his heart and both cheeks to ids enemies from.over the water. For instance, late English papers tell us that during the period May 29 to June 7 last a German vessel from Danzig was actually moored to Admiralty buoys at Chatham Reach, in close proximity to and in full view of a shed within which three British submarines of a new type were being built! Yet in Germany last week foreigners wore not allowed to go up iv ;i Zeppelin passenger airship—because they might catch a view ol the interior' of the city's fortifications!

The world uormally is so full < I frowns and igrowls. that it is quite refreshing to find amongst Englishmen especially a tendency towards organising a movement in favour of allowing the face to slip purposely into smiles. The Matlock Smiling Club, which, at latest reports, has 1500 members sworn to look on the brightside of things, was .started by a member of that very cheerful fraternity, commercial travellers. These are tlie men who go up and down all lands on this footstool living up to the immortal Mark Tapley's axiom that to smile in the face of nature is easy, but to smile in the face of adversity is some credit. And, after all, what does it cost to be cheerful? Only a smile. Hence the origin of the Matlock Smiling Club, the secret s-ipn of recognition of membership being a gentle letting go of the face until the smile breaks it up. Success to the Smile—may it cover the whole face of humanity, for it is healthier than the frown and the pucker, making for peace on. earth and goodwill towards men all the year round.