ism inclined to question the thoroughly cosmopolitan
character of the elective body. And so I next add, Mr. Sheriff
AUGUSTUS HARRIS, H.R.H. the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, the Proprietor
of PEARS' Soap, and the Beadle of the Burlington Arcade.

It might now be well to give a distinctively literary flavour
to the body, and so I am disposed to continue my list with the
names of the Poet Laureate and the City Editor of _Tit Bits_,
following them up with the representatives of commercial
enterprise, speculative art, and sportive leisure, guaranteed
respectively by the names of the Chairman of the Chelsea
Steam-boat Company, Mr. R. D'OYLY CARTE, and Prince HENRY
OP BATTENBERG. For the twelfth, and remaining name, I
would suggest that of Mr. HENRY IRVING, the Archbishop of
CANTERBURY, the Manager of Madame TUSSAUD'S Wax Works, Sir
WILFRID LAWSON, General BOOTH, Mr. SLAVIN, Mr. J.L. TOOLE, or
any other striking or notable one that arrests the eye with
the familiarity of long acquaintance. With the existing
deplorable position of the Pantomime literature of the
country, there can be little need to question further the
necessity of a British Academy of Letters. The naming of those
who are to constitute that institution is another thing;
but if an authoritative fountain-head, to discharge this
inevitable function, is sought, and the public puts the
question, "_Quis Nominabit_?" I think, Sir, you will admit
that I have most satisfactorily supplied the answer. Trusting
to your judicious appreciation of the full gravity of the
matter at issue, to publish this communication,

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

A VERY POSSIBLE FUTURE ACADEMICIAN.

* * * * *

BEFORE AND BEHIND.

(_From a Thoughtful Grammarian_.)

SIR,--In the _Times_' Court Circular, on Friday last, I read
that--

"Mr. WILLIAM NICHOLL had the honour of singing before Her
MAJESTY and the Royal Family."

This was indeed an honour. I regret that the Courtly
Circularist did not tell us what Mr. NICHOLL sang before the
QUEEN and Royal Family, and also what the QUEEN and Royal
Family sang (solo and chorus?) after Mr. NICHOLL. But suppose
"before" does not here relate to time, but to position.
It would have been a novelty indeed, and one well worth
recording, if Mr. NICHOLL had had the h