and it may come up fresh for a long run, or at all events, "fit" for a
good spurt.

* * * * *

Even the old-fashionedest Toriest of Tory Farmers are longing, hoping,
and even praying, for the downfall of the Rain. If we don't have
it soon, and it may have arrived ere this appears, Marrowfats, as
_articles de luxe_, will be "Peas at any price!"

* * * * *

[Illustration: MISPLACED MERRIMENT.

_Irish Doctor_ (_who was a great believer in a little "playful
badinage"_). "OH DEAR! OH DEAR! AN' WHAT A TARRIBLE DEPRESSIN'
SOIGHT YE'VE GONE AN' MADE OV YERSILF! WHAT IS UT NOW, IS UT
A '_TABLEAU VERVANT_' YE'RE PLAYIN' AT, OR WHAT?"
(_Further attendance dispensed with._)]

* * * * *

PANEFUL!

It was the Palace of the Board,
The Board of London's Schooling,
Where Members lately have enjoyed
Some high artistic fooling.

"Oh, why"--hear Mr. COXHEAD plead,
In tones of sheer amazement--
"Do hideous faces wrought in glass
Stare down from every casement?"

Then up spake General MOBERLY,
The Board's supreme apologist,
And told them all the time of day
Like any good horologist.

"The Architect," quoth he, "had planned
To grave upon the panes
Portraits of bygone Classic wights,
Of British youth the banes.

"But as the Chairman of the Works'
Committee he had said,
That CICERO should be deposed,
And DIGGLE reign instead.

"To oust HERODOTUS would be
An inexpensive job,
And SOCRATES should be bowled out
By a seductive LOBB."

Further, he argued that it would
Only be right and manly
If ARCHIMEDES did resign
His pane to LYULPH STANLEY.

And out he brought his final word
Both modestly and soberly--
"I think that JULIUS CAESAR might
Give place to General MOBERLY!"

O Boardmen, shall the little plan
Be thus allowed to pass?
It will, unless your Veto stop
_This_ filling of the glass!

* * * * *

TO ZANTE.

(_An Appeal. After E. A. Poe._)

"Fair Isle, that from the fairest of all flowers
Thy gentlest of all gentle names doth take!"
How many memories of fierce seismic powers
At sight of thee, as now thou art, awake!
How many scenes of what departed bliss!
How many thoughts of what entombed hopes!
Did FALB foresee such ruin