nd all critic shocks
Whilst it gives Private Views--of Pretty Frocks!

* * * * *

THE WORLD ON WHEELS.

MR. STEVENS, the American gentleman who rode round the world on a
bicycle, says, "The bicycle is now recognised as a new social force."
Possibly. But certain writers to the _Times_ on "The Tyranny of the
Road," seem to prove that it is also a new _anti_-social force, when
it frightens horses and upsets pedestrians. Adapting an old proverb,
we may say, "Set a cad on a cycle and he'll ride"--well, all over
the road, and likely enough over old ladies into the bargain. Whilst
welcoming the latest locomotive development, we must not allow the
"new social force" to develop into a new social despotism. To put it
pointedly:--

We welcome these new steeds of steel,
(In spite of whistles and of "squealers,")
But cannot have the common weal
_Too_ much disturbed by common "Wheelers"!

* * * * *

THE ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET.--After the Presidential orations, the
success of the evening was Professor BUTCHER's speech. His audience
were delighted at being thus "butchered to make" an artistic
"holiday." Prince ARTHUR BALFOUR expressed his regret that "the House
of Commons did not possess a Hanging Committee." Hasn't it? Don't we
now and again hear of a Member being "suspended" for some considerable
time? On such occasions, the whole House is a Hanging Committee. There
was one notable omission, and yet for days the air had been charged
with the all-absorbing topic. "Odd!" murmured a noble Duke to himself,
as, meditating many things, he stood by the much-sounding soda-water,
"Odd! a lot of speeches; and yet,--_not a word about Orme!_"

* * * * *

[Illustration: RECKONING WITHOUT THEIR HOST.

FIRST ANARCHIST. "ENFIN, MON AMI!--VE SHALL NOT BE INTERRUPT IN ZIS
FREE ENGLAND!"

BULL A1 (_sotto voce_). "DON'T BE TOO SURE, MOSSOO! YOU'LL FIND NO
_EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES_ HERE!!"]

* * * * *

THE YOUNG GIRL'S COMPANION.

BY MRS. PAYLEY.

III.--THE CHOICE OF A POSE.

[Illustration: {Young girl, posing.}]

All young girls should have definite ideas of the impression which
they wish to create. The natural girl is always either impolite
or impolitic. I am quite willing to allow that a girl who appears
artificial is equally detestable. To be unnatural, and to appear
natural, is the end at