out of the fatal Seven. 'Twill suffice, even if the
seventh--bah! that's silly superstition. Here goes! First this
lead--heavy as SM-TH's speeches; then this glass, brittle as the bond
between the Unionists; some quicksilver of Randolphian shiftiness;
three charmed balls which have already hit their mark. See, they are
marked. "P-G-TT," "P-RN-LL," "C-mm-ss-n"!!! _Probatum est!_ Now for
the blessing of the balls.

[CASPAR _bowing down his head three separate times (as to three
Judges) before he commences his incantation._

Thou who hast Fate's mystic dower,
ZAMIEL, ZAMIEL, work thy power!
Spirit of the evil dead
(At Madrid), bless, bless the lead!
May they be as featly sped
As the one that pierced his head.
I am sick of shilly-shally,
May they--metaphorically,
For, of course, I don't mean murder,
Nothing could be--well, absurder--
May they spifflicate our foes.
Neither progress nor repose,
On Bench or in Cabinet,
May they any of them get
Till they get their last quietus
From these bullets (That will seat us
Comfortably in their places,
To the rapture of three races)
How the fire fumes! There'll be ruction.
Characters _look_ like OBSTRUCTION!
But they _mean_--and that's their beauty!--
Merely, simply, purely DUTY!
Therefore, 'tis my occupation
So at present, Incantation!
G. O. M. won't take a part;
He objects to the Black Art.
Though he rather shirks my cult,
He will relish the result.
ZAMIEL! you're the chap I like,
Charm the bullets that they strike.
ZAMIEL, lend thy might to kill
To each burning drop we spill!
Now then for it! Out on fear!
ZAMIEL, ZAMIEL, be thou near!

[_Sets to work at--THE CASTING OF THE BULLETS. Music._

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE "INCANTATION."

(_Scene from the Very Latest Version of "Der Freischuetz_.")]

* * * * *

[Illustration: RUSTIC POLITENESS.]

_Squire Roadster._ "WHERE ARE THE HOUNDS, MY MAN?"

_Yokel._ "GAR ON WITH YER! DON'T KNAW WHEER THE 'OUNDS BE, AND GOT A
RED COAT AND A BIG 'OSS! YER OUGHTER BE ASHAMED OF YERSELF!"

* * * * *

THE LATEST CATCH-LINE.--Good DAY! Have you read the Report of the
Special Commission?

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

_Leaves of a Life._ So MONTAGU WILLIAMS, Q.C., and Worthy Beak, styles
his Reminiscences. The Leaves