DEAR BOY,Your mother and I are delighted that you will be demobbed in about a week from now....

France's experience with the ateliers nationaux is not encouraging, though 1919, when "demobbed" subalterns turn up their noses at £250 a year, is not 1848.

" So spake the brave young subaltern, knowing full well that he is to be demobbed to-day.