by the Orchestra Columbo (Leader, A. Mantovani), relayed from the Hotel Metropole.

THE Budget is really the most important matter with which the House of Commons deals in the course of the year, and the House of Lords is nowadays probably less useful as a Second' Chamber than as the supreme Court of Appeal. In this afternoon's talk Sir Ernest Gray will explain the progress of a Finance Bill through the Commons, and the hearing of an appeal in: the Lords. I

TODAY Mr. Collinson continues his round the world tour. coming down by the Thursday' Islands, through the seas where the pearl-fishers ply their trade, to the coast of Australia, and so down to Sydney and big-city life again.

Arranged by The People's Concert Society
In co-operation with the B.B.C.
The Kingsley Quartet and Olive Bloom (Pianoforte)

For a Doctor of Medicine and Professor of Chemistry to take up composition and excel in it is surely a curious thing.
Dr. Alexander Borodin, whose Second String Quartet we are now to hear, was one of the group of Russians, all amateurs, who set out in the early part of the nineteenth century to make a national art music for their country, by using in their works native old songs and the rhythms to which the country folk loved to dance.
Borodin's Second String Quartet is not highly, typical Russian music ; the composer had heard what Schumann could do in chamber music, and had picked up a good deal from him. Yet there are some clearly marked and enjoyable Russian traits in the four Movements of the Quartet.

The FIRST MOVEMENT, for instance, changes its speed several times, rather as the Russian peasant changes rapidly from one mood to another.

The SECOND MOVEMENT is an impulsive Scherzo, with a good deal of that. reiteration of little bits of tune in which the Russian mind delights.

SCHUMANN was one of the pioneers of music journalism.
He was also one of the great enthusiasts for Chopin's music. When he was reviewing Chopin's Second Scherzo, he said: 'It is so overflowing with tenderness, boldness, love and contempt, that it may be compared, not inappropriately, to a Byron poem. Such a one does not please everyone, to be sure.' However, in spite of Schumann's doubt, it has become one of Chopin's most popular works.

If there is any jesting about this Scherzo (as the word originally indicated) it seems to be very grim, or at least very noble, jesting.
'CELLO SOLO (to be announced)

THIS, one of the best of Dvorak's Chamber works, has all his native tunefulness and resource, and its sudden flashes of warmth, beauty and fire make it exceedingly attractive.

Herself the first uniformed policewoman to work in an English borough, Commandant Allen, the head of the Women's Auxiliary Service, has had wide experience of the training and operation of policewomen. During the War she trained and controlled 1,000 women for the Ministry of Munitions, and in 1923 she initiated the Cologne Experiment (in which both British and German policewomen were specially trained to deal with the problems of the occupied area) that first drew the attention of Europe to the utility of women police.

: A Family Gathering, at which the Children's Hour Staff does (pretty much) as requested

THE SONATAS or BEETHOVEN

In his first talk Professor Barcroft (who is Professor of Physiology at Cambridge) explained the respiratory system whereby human beings live. This evening he will discuss the extent to which the nose can be relied upon as a detector of poison - which is not very great, as the most unpleasant smells may be harmless, just as the most deadly gases may have no smell at all.

Arranged and Introduced by Sir RICHARD TERRY

Relayed from Westcliff

No city in the world has so many facets, such varied appeals to different people, as Rome. Walking through its streets one comes upon relies and reminders of the Rome of the Republic, of early legends (but the Tarpeian Rock is still there to corroborate them), the Rome of the Cæsars. the Rome of the early Christians, of the medieval Popes, the Renaissance Rome of Benvenuto Cellini and Michelangelo and the Borgias, the decadent Rome of the foreign domination, Rome the capital of unified Italy and now the new Rome of Mussolini and the Fascist spirit. Mr. Colin Coote has lived in Rome as correspondent of The Times. His books on Rome have guided the feet of many thousands of visitors to the city

ACT II
Relayed from THE ROYAL
OPERA HOUSE, COVENT
GARDEN

A Fantasy with Music for a Midsummer Night
By L. Du G.
Pixie Songs specially composed by Kenneth A. Wright
Characters:
Fairies, Gnomes and Pixies

Reggie and Delia, while motoring over Dartmoor, find themselves in Fairyland

Several broadcasts have familiarized the radio audience with two characters who owe their origin to the lively imagination of Mr. L. du Garde Peach, Reggie and Delia. Previously their surroundings have been essentially modern, but this is Midsummer Day, and even in 1927 one is apt to meet the fairies on this one night of all the year.

London and Daventry listeners will recall the Auction Bridge Hand which was broadcast on Whit Monday last from Lady Oxford and Asquith's house at Sutton Courtenay. Tonight's broadcast will be conducted on similar lines. The names of the players, all four of them well-known bridge experts, will be announced later.