essors of gastronomy and their valuable assistants--the industrious
scullery-maids. Let not the Melbourne opposition to this meritorious
class, be supported by the nation at large; for England would soon
cease to occupy her present proud pre-eminence, did her rulers, her
patriots, and her heroes, sit down to cold mutton, or the villanously
dressed "joints ready from 12 to 5." Justice is said to be the
foundation of all national prosperity--we contend that it is
repletion--that Mr. Toole, the toast-master, is the only embodiment of
fame, and that true glory consists of a gratuitous participation in
"Three courses and a dessert!"

* * * * *

INQUEST--NOT EXTRAORDINARY.

Great Bulwer's works fell on Miss Basbleu's head.
And, in a moment, lo! the maid was dead!
A jury sat, and found the verdict plain--
"She died of _milk_ and _water on the brain_."

* * * * *

PUNCH'S PENCILLINGS.--NO. VII.

[Illustration: TRIMMING A W(H)IG.]

* * * * *

NAPOLEON'S STATUE AT BOULOGNE.

[The bronze statue of Napoleon which was last placed on the summit
of the grand column at Boulogne with extraordinary ceremony, has
been turned, by design or accident, with its back to England.]

Upon its lofty column's stand,
Napoleon takes his place;
His back still turned upon that land
That never saw his face.

THE HIEROGLYPHIC DECIPHERED.

The letters V.P.W. scratched by some person on the brow of the statue
of Napoleon while it lay on the ground beside the column, which were
supposed to stand for the insulting words _Vaincu par Wellington_, have
given great offence to the French. We have authority for contradicting
this unjust explanation. The letters are the work of an ambitious
Common Councilman of Portsoken Ward, who, wishing to associate himself
with the great Napoleon, scratched on the bronze the initials of his
name--V.P.W.--VILLIAM PAUL WENABLES.

* * * * *

[Transcriber's note: This was marked as "NO. 3", but it is the 5th
one of the series.]

SONGS FOR THE SENTIMENTAL.--NO. 5.

"O fly with me, lady, my gallant _destrere_
Is as true as the brand by my side;
Through flood and o'er moorland his master he'll bear,
With the maiden he seeks for a bride."
This, this was the theme of the troubadour's lay,
And thus did the lady reply:--
"Si