their great interest in the _flora_ and _fauna_ here."--_Stanley
speaking at Chamber of Commerce, May 21._]

* * * * *

WEEK BY WEEK.

_Monday and Tuesday._--Nothing particular, except meeting Mr. STANLEY.

_Wednesday._--_Mr. Punch_ comes out. General rejoicings.

_Thursday._--Milk Adulteration Contest at Wormwood Scrubbs.
Cat-shooting in Eaton Square commences. Treacle-makers' Company insist
on presenting their Bicentenary Gold Medal to Mr. STANLEY.

_Friday._--Private Eclipse of the Sun, invisible to everybody, except
Mr. STANLEY.

_Saturday._--Banquet of the Bargain-Drivers' Benevolent Association.
Song by Mr. STANLEY, _Meet me by Moonlight_.

_Sunday._--Festival of the Five Quires for a Shilling. Everybody in
"Go-to-Meeting-STANLEY Costume."

_Monday._--Afternoon Firework Display at the People's Palace.

* * * * *

SOME amusement was created at the Anniversary Dinner of the United
Crossing-Sweepers' Provident Association, held last night, by the
Noble Chairman's reference to his early experiences on a West End
crossing. What he saw then had led him to believe, he said, that the
lot of one who preserves the boots of the public from mud is not all
beer and skittles. He had, however, formed a very exalted idea of the
dignity of the calling to which they all belonged. It is, of course,
well known that the Noble Earl owed his rise from the position of
broom-holder to an opportune legacy from an old lady, whom he saved,
at the risk of his own life, from being ground to powder by a runaway
costermonger's barrow.

* * * * *

A Correspondent sends us some interesting notes of meteorological
observations during the past month. "I have noticed," he writes, "that
under certain atmospheric conditions the streets and pavements of the
Metropolis are invariably damp. This phenomenon is generally preceded
by the withdrawal of the sun, followed almost immediately by a
prevalence of _imber_. After this has lasted for some time, it is
usual for the water-carts to make their appearance."

* * * * *

"A MANCHESTER MOTHER" makes the following pertinent observations on
the fashions prevailing amongst men at the present day. "Why," she
asks, "should some men prefer boots with buttons, while others like
their boots laced? Why again should it be considered right for
some men to wear dark blue overcoa