reign buys more than it did years ago,
that seems to be a bit of a catch for me, don't it?

_First W. I. M._ Ah, I daresay you think so, but you're wrong. If you
fix a ratio, things may be dearer, but you'll have twice as much
purchasing power.

_Inquirer_ (_anxiously_). How do you fix a ratio?

_Second W. I. M._ Ah, that's the question!

_First W. I. M._ That's not my business. I say it ought to be fixed, and
it's for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Bank of England to do
it.

_Second W. I. M._ (_decisively_). The Bank can't do it. Its Charter
won't allow it.

_Inquirer._ How's that? I never quite understood the Charter.

_Second W. I. M._ By the Charter the Bank has to----

[_But at this moment, the train having drawn up at a
station, an intruder gets into the carriage. He is
severely frowned upon, and the conversation, thus
checked, is not resumed._

_Inquirer_ (_getting out at terminus, to_ First W. I. M.). I think I've
got a pretty clear notion of Bi-metallism now, thanks to you.

_First W. I. M._ (_modestly_). Oh, it's quite simple, if you only take
the trouble to give your mind to it.

* * * * *

[Illustration: A Little Mixed.]

* * * * *

_OUR_ "MISSING WORD COMPETITION."

_Guaranteed exempt from any Treasury prosecution under 1st Jingo, B. IV.
Cap_ (_Fit_) 1, _sec_ (_Pommery_) '74. (_Heading, "Wish you may get
it."_)

MR. PUNCH

DESIRES TO CONVEY TO ALL, URBI ET ORBI, HIS VERY KINDEST ....... AND
BEST....... FOR THE COMING CHRISTMAS, 1892.

N.B.--_Coupons must be cut from the current number, and should be sent
to_ SIR JOHN BRIDGE, _Bow-Street, E.C., with shillings for the Poor Box
to same address._

* * * * *

THE QUEEN AND THE SONGSTRESS.--In consequence of Her Gracious MAJESTY'S
marked approbation of Miss PALLISER'S operatic performance at Windsor
Castle, Sir DRURIOLANUS WINSORENSIS UBIQUITOSUS has serious thoughts of
asking the young cantatrice to change her name to Miss ROYAL PALLIS-ER;
or, if she has the honour of singing "By Command" in London, to Miss
BUCKINGHAM PALLIS-ER.

* * * * *

"NEXT PLEASE!"--_My Brother's Out_--new work by Mrs. LOVETT CAMERON,
Authoress of _A Sister's Sin_.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THE WANDERING MINSTREL."

_Jem Baggs_ (_"The Wandering Minstrel"_). "THEY