THE CANDOUR OF KEYNES.
(Suggested by the perusal of "The Economic Consequences of the Peace.")
There was a superior young person named Keynes
Who possessed an extensive equipment of brains,
And, being elected a Fellow of King's,
He taught Economics and similar things.
On the outbreak of war he at once made his mark
As a "tempy," but Principal, Treasury Clerk,
And the Permanent Staff and the Chancellor too
Pronounced him a flier and well worth his screw.
So he went to the Conference, not as a mute,
To act as the Chancellor's chief substitute,
And in this extremely responsible post
He mingled with those who were ruling the roast.
The Big and redoubtable Three, 'tis confessed,
By his talent and zeal were immensely impressed;
But, conversely, the fact, which is painful, remains
That they failed to impress the redoubtable Keynes.
So, after five months of progressive disgust,
He shook from his feet the Parisian dust,
Determined to give the chief Delegates beans
And let the plain person behind the Peace scenes.
Though his title is stodgy, yet all must admit
That his pages are seasoned with plenty of wit;
He's alert as a cat-fish; he can't be ignored;
And throughout his recital we never are bored.
For he's not a mere slinger of partisan ink,
But a thinker who gives us profoundly to think;
And his arguments cannot be lightly dismissed
With cries of "Pro-Hun" or of "Pacificist."
And yet there are faults to be found all the same;
For example, I doubt if it's playing the game
For one who is hardly unmuzzled to guy
Representative statesmen who cannot reply.
And while we're amused by his caustic dispraise
Of President Wilson's Chadbandian ways,
Of the cynical Tiger, laconic and grim,
And our versatile Premier, so supple and slim—
Still we feel, as he zealously damns the Allies
For grudging the Germans the means to arise,
That possibly some of the Ultimate Things
May even be hidden from Fellows of King's.
"The —— Male Voice Choir and St. ——'s Brass Band discorded Xmas music."—Local Paper.
We shouldn't wonder.
"Another element in the industrial activity of Japan, which is brought forcibly home to the Westerner, is the obvious pleasure that the Japanese people take in doing the work which is allotted to them. It is no uncommon sight to see men laughing merrily as they drag along their heavy merchandise, or singing as they swing their anvils in a manner almost reminiscent of the historic village blacksmith."—Provincial Paper.
And "children coming home from school" know better than to "look in at the open door."
