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FAIR PLAY FOR JEREMIAH
Is it possible that there is room for a sma'l Jeremiah Society in order to protect the prophet from one common misconcep- tion? There seems to be an idea that the lamentations of the pro- phét in question were unjustifi- ed, and Sir John Anderson has now joined those who describe as "Jeremiahs" people who do not express satisfaction and delight with the achievements of the Government. But, surely, if there was one thing which Jeremiah was not it was a prophet who de nounced without good reason. In- deed one cannot help thinking that it might be an excellent thing if Cabinet Ministers, and
which has the unpleasant task of reporting these days of grace (?), would spare a little time to read some of Jeremiah and pro- fit thereby..
1939
more popular now than it was in a distant and legendary time. We may be quite sure that when the United States elects any citizen to the position of Public Edemy No. 1, Public Enemy No. 2 guffers a loss of prestige. Probably he sets to work to prove that the assessors have done him wrong,” and one can only hope that Mus- soling will not have his attention drawn to this ranking or he may find it necessary to do something to dethrone his rival.
A Hymn of Love
To those unversed in the in- terpretation of totalitarian emo- tions it would appear that genu- ine German-Italian friendship and mutual admiration were mak- ing but small headway, I spite of the fine new spiritual thorough- fare, or axis, which joins Kome to Berlin. Evidently, however, to think thus is to be mistaken. For in a recent issue of the "Gazzetta del Popolo" there appeared hymn in praise of Germany the more piquant verses of which may be translated thus:
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8
Ah! to go forward together. O Germany, nation of warriors, To go side by side, armed, In search of our destiny!
Together to march abreast As soldiers march. Ah! how good to have at one's
-side
A friend. who keeps calm, and
one
Who, to, our fidelity, Responds with his fidelity
To-day my voice tremblesto This voice which trembled not When alone we faced the world. ́ It trembles when I say, That I love you, that we love
each other,
O Germany!
"Break up your fallow ground
Let us hope that the author of and sow not among thorns” seems very good advice to a Govern these moving verses will not have One ment which has not been notable cause to tremble from emotions for its extension of agricultural other than those of love." possibilities. "The whole city cannot help wondering, however, whether his hymn, albeit a hymn shall flee from the noise of the of love, will provoké bat the same
horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets.
.every city. shall be deso’ate
sounds like a prevision of a modern air raid in force.
It is possible that a good many people at this time would echo "the prophets prophesy falsely
and my people love to have it so." The "Jeremiahs". may have something useful to say, after all, in, a world which is little more perfect than the one] which the prophet warned. Order of Infamy
amusement among Germans as did the famous war-time.German hymn of hate among Englishmen.
Joey Knew
If one may judge from a recent incident, the budgerigar has now come forward as a serions chal- lenger for the title of the wisest bird-a title that has been held without dispute by the owl for many centuries. It is doubtful": whether the owl ever really de- served it. His command of language is admittedly inferior United to that of the parrot, and - his pretty thoughtful and solemn mien has been held by many to be merely owlish. Even Christopher Robin's Ow], whose reputation was great, was definitely a little prosy, as witness that rambling tale of his concerning "an aunt who had once laid a seagull's égő by mis- take," which so bored Piglet.
What happens in the States is being watched carefully in totalitarian States Fat present, and it may be hoped therefore that there will be no untoward results from a recent event in the United States. As we all know, there is a passion for "newspaper polls" over there; indeed, American citizens pro- bably spend as much time ans- wering questions by that method as British subjects spend in filling in football pool coupons, Recently a poll has been taken of the views of young people on cer- tain subjects, and among other things they were asked to state who was the most hated man in the world. Hitler occupied the first place and Mussolini the sec- ondac
That return may make trouble; had the children been tactful they would have give
ket. To be second higher or the lower regk
In contrast, the method of the budgerigar is to go straight to the point; and one of them, Joey, made this plain at the competi
for tion, lately held in London, .... talking birds. For three, hours the judges had tried in vain to persuade the entrants to exhibit Not one would their powers. open his beak, until, at last, Joey, who had bided his time with Trified consummato the onlookers, prize!" he Judges agreed
A little bird had told them, but who told Joey?