THE DIRECTOR'S VADE MECUM.
Reading edition
Question. What is your duty as a Director?
Answer. To give my name to a prospectus.
Q. Is there any necessary formality before making this donation?
A. Yes; I am to accept a certain number of qualifying shares in the company obtaining the advantage of my directorial services.
Q. Need you pay for these shares?
A. With proper manipulation, certainly not.
Q. What other advantages would you secure by becoming a Director?
A. A guinea an attendance.
Q. Anything else?
A. A glass of sherry and a sandwich.
Q. What are your duties at a Board Meeting?
A. To shake hands with the Secretary, and to sign an attendance book.
Q. What are your nominal duties?
A. Have not the faintest idea.
Q. Would it be right to include in your nominal duties the protection of the interests of the shareholders?
A. As likely as not.
Q. Would it be overstating the case to say that thousands and thousands of needy persons are absolutely ruined by the selfish inattention of a company's direction?
A. Not at all—possibly understating it.
Q. I suppose you never read a prospectus to which you put your name?
A. Never.
Q. Nor willingly wish to ruin any one?
A. No; why should I?
Q. You are guilty of gross ignorance and brutal indifference?
A. Quite so.
Q. And consequently know that, according to the view of the Judges, you are above the law?
A. That is so.
Q. And may therefore do what you like, without any danger to your own interests?
A. To be sure.
Q. And consequently will do what you best please, in spite of anything, and anybody?
A. Why, certainly.
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
Stern Parent. "No wonder you look so Seedy and fit for nothing. I hear you came Home so very late last night!"
Youth (who is having his fling). "Beg your pardon, Dad, I did nothing of the sort. I came Home very early!"
At a meeting of the International Maritime Congress "M. Gatto read a paper on Harbour Lights." Does this mean that one of the Adelphoi Gatti read the paper (extract from the play, or perhaps a play-bill) on Harbour Lights, which was an Adelphi success? Of course one of "the Gatti's" would be in the singular "M. Gatto." The paper was much applauded, and Gatto prends le gâteau.
From Spirit Land.—The Spirits or Spooks from the vasty deep that can be called and will come when Stead-ily and persistently summoned will not be the first to speak. The "Spooks" well-bred rule of politeness is, "Don't spook till you're spooken to." Also, "A good Spook must be seen and not heard."