lements are required for the game, in fact, superfluities
are a nuisance and only get wet--thus equipped--the game can be played
with freedom--(_not_ from pebbles)--combined of course with propriety,
and will be found amusing and invigorating--(quotation from the
preface to the Book of Rules written by the eminent German Doctor,
HERR SPLASHENWASSER--inventor of the Water-Cure.

The next Race meeting requiring attention takes place at Doncaster
this week, and the most important race, I take it--at least, _I_
don't take it--but the _winner_ will--another senseless expression--is
naturally the St. Leger, for which I make a poetic selection, which
has cost me weeks of anxious thought, no "leger" task!--(French
joke)--owing to the number of horses engaged, so few of which will
run!

Yours devotedly, LADY GAY.

ST. LEGER SELECTION.

The best of the classic events of the year
We are told by the students of "form,"
Is a foregone conclusion, 'tis perfectly clear,
For the noble possessor of _Orme_.

[Footnote 1: This should really be Burg_ee_, but then it wouldn't
rhyme, and a Poet may drop a _syllable_, if he or she mayn't drop an
H!]

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE WOMAN THAT WAS!

_Monsieur le Marechal_ (_who, during the Forties, was a dashing young
Military Attache at, the French Embassy in London_). "AH, DUCHESS,
AND DO YOU REMEMBER ZE SO BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY MARY GWENDOLEN VERE DE
VERE, ZAT EVERYBODY VENT MAD ABOUT VEN I VAS IN ENGLAND? VEN I TINK OF
'ER, MY 'EARRT BEAT EVEN NOW!"

_The Duchess_ (_nee Mary Gwendolen Vere de Vere_). "OH YES, MONSIEUR
LE MARECHAL, I REMEMBER HER ONLY TOO WELL!"

_M. le Marechal._ "VAT 'AS BECAME OF 'ER, MADAME LA DUCHESSE?"

_Her Grace_ (_with a sigh_). "_ELLE N'EST PLUS!_"]

* * * * *

STUDIES IN THE NEW POETRY.

NO. V.

It may be objected that _Mr. Punch's_ fifth example does not strictly
conform to the canons laid down by him in his prefatory remarks to No.
I. _Mr. Punch_ neither admits nor denies the charge. He is convinced,
however, that those who do him the honour to read these Studies, might
justly complain if he failed to include in them an example of the
work of a Poet who has shown our generation how rusticity and rhymes,
cattle and Conservative convictions, peasants and patriotism, may be
combined in verse. It is scarcely necessary to add that the author of
the following magnificent piece