anvas of our souls!
And thus, though magistrates expostulate,

[_All take hands and raise their truncheons._

And hint that ANANIAS dressed in blue,
We'll grapple with the thing called Evidence,
And if we fall, by Heaven! we'll fall _together_!

_Inspector_. There spoke Policedom's genius!
Then, are we all resolved?

_All_. We are--all resolved.

_Inspector_. To pull--and swear--together?

_All_. To pull--and swear--together.

_Inspector_. All?

_All_. All!

_Mr. P._ _Nem. con._ Egad!

_Commissioner_. Oh, yes! When they do agree in the Force, their
unanimity is wonderful!

_Inspector_. Then let's embrace this resolution, and "Keep it with a
constant mind--and now--"

[_Kneels._

_Mr. P._ What the plague, is he going to pray?

_Commissioner_. Yes--hush! In great emergencies--on the Stage or in
the Force--there's nothing like a prayer in chorus.

_Inspector_. "O MENDEZ PINTO!"

_Mr. P._ But why should he pray to MENDEZ PINTO?

_Commissioner_. Oh, "the Knight, PINTO-MENDEZ FERDINANDO," as POE
calls him, is the tutelary genius of Bards--and Bobbies! Hush!

_Inspector_. If in thy homage bred
Each point of discipline I've still observed;
Swearing in squads, affirming in platoons;
Nor but by due promotion, and the right
Of service to the rank P.C. Inspector,
Have risen; assist thy votary now!

_1st P.C._ Yet do not rise--hear me! [_Kneels._

_2nd P.C._ And me! [_Kneels._

_3rd P C._ And me! [_Kneels._

_Inspector_. Now swear--and pray--all together!

_All_. We swear!!!
Behold thy votaries submissive beg
That thou wilt deign to grant them all they ask,
Assist them to accomplish all their ends,
And sanctify whatever means they use
To gain them

_Mr. P._ A very orthodox and harmonious chorus. Their "_tutti_" is
perfection.

_Commissioner_. Vastly well, is't not? Is that well managed or not? Is
the "thin Blue line" well disciplined or not? Have you such absolute
perfection of "alltogetherishness" on your lyric stage as the Force
voluntarily maintains--in its own interests, and obedient to its own
peculiar _esprit de corps_?

_Mr. P._ (_with significance_). Not exactly!

* * * * *

MANY HAPPY RETURNS!

(_PUNCH TO MADAME LA REPUBLIQUE._)

["The Republic attains its majority to-morrow (Sept. 4). It
is the first Government since the Revolution which has had a
twenty-first birthday."--_The Times_.]

Dear