e, and awfully chaste.
Now ALGERNON has no respect
For purity and public taste.
EDWIN is given to allegory.
Whilst ALFRED is a wicked Tory!!!

He ceased. Great PUNCHIUS rubbed his eagle beak.
And said, "I think we'll take the rest next week!"

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Experienced Sportsman_ (_on Pony_). "WELL--HAD GOOD
SPORT, FRED, OLD BOY?"

_Inexperienced Fred_. "NOT EXACTLY 'GOOD,'--BUT I THINK I'VE LET OFF
ABOUT A HUNDRED CARTRIDGES."

_Experienced Sportsman_. "NOT SO BAD. S'POSE YOU MUST HAVE 'LET OFF'
AN EQUAL NUMBER OF PARTRIDGES!"]

* * * * *

IN A GHOST-SHOW.

_Warlock's "Celebrated Ghost-Exhibition and Deceptio Visus"
has pitched its tent for the night on a Village Green, and the
thrilling Drama of "Maria Martin, or, The Murder in the Red
Barn, in three long Acts, with unrivalled Spectral Effects and
Illusions," is about to begin. The Dramatis Personae are on the
platform outside; the venerable Mr. MARTIN is exhorting the
crowd to step up and witness his domestic tragedy, while the
injured MARIA, is taking the twopences at the door; WILLIAM
CORDER is finishing a pipe, and two of the Angelic Visions
are dancing, in blue velveteen and silver braid, to the
appropriate air of "The Bogie Man."_

INSIDE.

_The front benches are occupied by Rustic Youths, who beguile
the tedium of waiting by smoking short clays, and trying to
pull off one another's caps._

_First Youth_ (_examining the decorative Shakspearian panels on the
proscenium._) They three old wimmin be a-pokin' o' that old nipper,
'ooever he be.

[_The "old nipper" in question is, of course, MACBETH._

_Second Youth._ Luk up at that 'un tother side--it's a Gineral's
gho-ast a-frightenin' th' undertaker (_A subject from "Hamlet"_)
They've gi'en over dancin' outside--they'll be beginning soon. (_The
company descend the steps, and pass behind the scenes._) We shall see
proper 'ere, we shall.

[_The Curtain draws up, and reveals a small stage, with an
inclined sheet of glass in a heavy frame in front; behind this
glass is the Cottage Home of MARIA MARTIN._

_Maria_ (_coming out of Cottage, and speaking in an inaudible tone_).
At last--WILLIAM CORDER--to make me his wife--I know not why--strange
misgiving 'as come over me.

[Illustration: "They catch one another's wrists, and walk up and dow