ppy New Volume!

* * * * *

A QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE, BUT NOT A PRECEDENT.--It is a gracious act
on the part of a Cabman, when, at a dinner-party, he gives the _pas_
to an Omnibus-driver, at the same time courteously explaining this
waiver of rights by saying that "at the present moment he is not
standing on his rank."

* * * * *

"THE COMPLEMENTS OF THE SEASON."--Christmas Boxes.

* * * * *

[Illustration: SUPERIOR EDUCATION.

_Page Boy_ (_to Jeames_). "WHERE SHALL I PUT THISH 'ER DISH OF
AMMONDS?"

_Jeames_ (_with dignity_). "I'M SURPRISED, HARTHUR, THAT AT YOUR HAGE
YOU 'AVEN'T LEARNT 'OW TO PERNOUNCE THE _R_ IN HARMONDS!"]

* * * * *

ONLY FANCY!

[Illustration]

In continuation of his interesting notes of incidents connected with
the gathering of Ministers for the last Cabinet Council, Our Special
Reporter states that the only _contretemps_ arose in connection
with the arrival of Mr. GOSCHEN. On alighting from his _coupe_ the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER handed the driver a dirty crumpled piece
of paper.

"Hi! wot's this?" shouted the Cabman.

"A one-pound note," said the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, blandly;
"give me the change."

"Oh, no you don't," said the Cabman; "you try that on in the City,
young feller. This is too far West."

Mr. GOSCHEN, evidently annoyed, carefully selected a worn-out
shilling, and tossing it to the man, stalked haughtily into the
Treasury. A moment later he hurriedly opened the door and looked out
for the Cabman, but he had gone. It was understood, Our Reporter says,
that the Right Hon. Gentleman had thought of a repartee.

* * * * *

The Morning Papers announce, with tantalising brevity, that "Lord
STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELL has (_sic_) returned to Bruton Street from
Berlin." We are in a position to add that the occasion of the noble
Lords' journey to Berlin was of international interest. It is no
secret at the Foreign Office that their Lordships have for some time
been uneasy at the turn events are taking in the East. They have
endeavoured to disguise from each other their perturbed feelings. But
STRATHEDEN felt that CAMPBELL's eye was upon him, whilst CAMPBELL at
last abandoned the futile effort of dissembling his uneasiness under
the cold steel-grey glance of STRATHEDEN. They finally agreed that the
best thin