_A._ An unknown quantity--to the impecunious.

_Q._ Is it necessary for the impecunious to suffer want?

_A._ Not if the lack of funds is concealed from the tradespeople.

_Q._ Ought not a (legal) infant to pay his debts?

_A._ Only at the instigation of a County-Court Judge, or if they happen to
be debts of honour.

_Q._ What is a debt of honour?

_A._ Usually the outcome of a discreditable transaction.

_Q._ Is the nonpayment of a tradesman dishonourable?

_A._ No, for such a payment is not a "necessary." Payment only becomes a
"necessary" when you bet with a man of your own order.

_Q._ Is it possible to do without money?

_A._ Yes, when you can live upon your acquaintances.

_Q._ From your last answers it would appear that money seems sometimes
capable of being treated with levity. Can you give me an instance when cash
is not a light subject?

_A._ Yes when it is under weight, and is, consequently, refused at your
Banker's.

_Q._ What is the best method of obtaining the full value of a light
sovereign?

_A._ By obtaining in return for it change in silver from a friend.

_Q._ Is silver of the same value as gold?

_A._ No, silver is a token; and in the instance to which I have referred,
it would be a token of confidence.

_Q._ Would this transaction be amusing?

_A._ Yes, to everyone but the friend.

* * * * *

Time-Work versus Piece-Work!

(_By John Bull, Employer of Labour._)

Payment of Members? Well, well, _I_ don't mind,
If Members who're worthy of payment I find.
But _then_ all this quarrelsome cackle must cease--
If my M.P.'s I pay--like my Smiths--_by the piece_,
I may yet get good work; but 'twere folly, nay, crime,
To pay seven hundred praters for wasting my _time_!

* * * * *

A MAN WHO MAY BE SAID TO "KNOW THE ROPES."--M. BLONDIN.

* * * * *

NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed
Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be
returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope,
Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception.

* * * * *

Transcriber's Note--typographical errors fixed:

exit changed to exits at the end of "A Candid Friend"
corrected a misplaced quotation mark in "Mary-Anner"
added a missing apostrophe in "Mary-Anner"