entence. It is essential.]

[Footnote 2: At first sight it would appear more natural that SIMPSON
(presumably a jockey) having called upon _Mrs. Brady_, should take tea
with _her_ rather than with her rivals. But a sporting style involves
us in puzzles.]

* * * * *

A CENTENARIAN.

"This is the centenary of the tall hat."--_Daily News_.

[Illustration]

A hundred years of hideousness,
Constricted brows, and strain, and stress!
And still, despite humanity's groan,
The torturing, "tall-hat" holds its own!
What proof more sure and melancholy
Of the dire depths of mortal folly?
Mad was the hatter who invented
The demon "topper," and demented
The race that, spite of pain and jeers,
Has borne it--for One Hundred Years!

* * * * *

HAMLET AT THE VEGETARIAN CONGRESS.

[Illustration]

Yea, from the table of my dining-room,
I'll take away all tasty joints and _entrees_.
All sorts of meat, all forms of animal diet
That the carnivorous cook hath gathered there:
And, by commandment, will entirely live
Within the bounds of vegetable food,
Unmixed with savoury matters. Yes, by heaven!
O most pernicious Meat!
O Mutton, beef, and pork, digestion-spoiling!
My tables, my tables! Meat? I'll put it down;
For men may dine, and dine, and do no killing,
At least I'm sure it may be so--on lentils.
So, _gourmand_, there you are! Now to my _menu_;
It is, "_All Vegetables and no Meat!_"
I have sworn't!

* * * * *

INTERVIEWING A LA MODE.

(_QUITE AT THE SERVICE OF SOME OF MR. PUNCH'S CONTEMPORARIES._)

One of our Representatives called a few days since upon Mr. BROWN,
senior member of the well-known firm of Messrs. BROWN, JONES,
AND ROBINSON. The Eminent General Dealer was seated "in his
counting-house," as the nursery-song hath it, "counting out his
money."

"Come in, come in!" said Mr. BROWN, cordially, as he somewhat
hurriedly looked up the coin in a safe out of our reach. "I am
delighted to see you."

"Glad to hear it," we replied, rather drily. "We want to put a few
questions to you, in the interest of the public."

"As many as you please. I am, as you know, a man of business; still,
the resources of our establishment are so vast, that my place can be
supplied without inconvenience to our thousands, I may say millions of
customers. And now, Sir, what can I do for yo