.
Hope's cup at his lips lately brimmingly bubbled,
Now "foiled by a novice, eclipsed by a boy!"
Is the thought in his mind. The reflection is bitter--
Theatrical taste often craves a fresh toy,
And is captured by glitter.

What thinks Madame France of the attitude struck
By this confident slip of good stock histrionic?
Though dames swear their dear _Petit Duc_ is a duck,
The smile of old stagers is somewhat ironic.
But "Bravas!" resound. A lad's "resolute will,"
The "wisdom of twenty years," stir admiration,
The political _Cafe Chantant_ pluck will thrill
In a stage-loving nation.

* * * * *

ROYAL BERKSHIRE.--Go to DOWDESWELL'S, in Bond Street, and they will
show you how County-history is written in the present day. It is
altogether different to the dull, old, dry volumes, "the musty
histories," which our grandfathers exhibited on their shelves, but
never took down to read; and these County-historians are of a much
more entertaining character. Those who know Royal Berkshire well--as
most of us do--will be glad to have their memory refreshed by the
fresh, bright, breezy pictures by YEEND KING, JOHN M. BROMLEY, and J.
M. MACKINTOSH. KEELEY HALSWELLE'S superb painting of "_Royal Windsor_"
occupies the place of honour in the room. It is one of the best
pictures--and at the same time one of the most unconventional--ever
produced of this oft-painted subject.

* * * * *

THE ROOT OF THE MATTER.

(_The Typical Woman's Reply to the Arguments of the Rational Dress
Society._)

My dear LENNOX BROWNE, and my good Dr. SMITH,
There is probably truth, there is certainly pith,
In your Kensington talk about Rational Dress.
Dr. GARSON and Miss LEFFLER-ARNIM also,
Talk sound common sense, but they'll find it no go;
The Crusade they have started _can't_ meet with success.

No, sage Viscountess HARBERTON, sweet Mrs. STOPES,
You had better not nourish ridiculous hopes
About "rationalising" our frocks and our shoes.
There is just one invincible thing, and that's Fashion!
That object of every true woman's chief passion,
'Tis vain to attack, and absurd to abuse.

You may say what you please about feminine "togs,"
That they're ugly, unhealthy, are burdens or clogs,
Too high, or too low, or too loose, or too tight,
There is just one reply (but 'tis more than enou