the dog's nose has vitiated
its freshness.

* * * * *

LOVE'S LABOUR WELL LOST.

[_Lines inspired by a dark lady, who remarked_, a propos _of a recent
disaster, that all fair girls were untrustworthy._]

Phyllis hath a roving eye,
Palest blue--a candid feature
Which informs the passer-by
Phyllis is a flighty creature;
Golden locks and fair complexion
Also point in that direction.

I, who had arranged to be
Joined to Phyllis by the vicar,
Now that she has jilted me
Scorn to seek relief in liquor.
Or the tears that folk are shedding
(Having missed a swagger wedding).

He who stole my love away
Cannot hope for long survival,
And I pity him to-day
As I did a former rival
Who believed her single-hearted
When my own flirtation started.

* * * * *

The Journalistic Touch.

I.

"The Imperial yacht with the Tsar and Imperial Family on
board steamed through the British lines yesterday, afterwards
lunching on the British flagship."--_Bombay Chronicle._

II.

Of the Rose Walk at Purley:--

"Then the material loveliness becomes the diaphanous veil
through which glint realities of which all phenomena are
expressions."--_Croydon Advertiser & Surrey County Reporter._

III.

"His memory and his noble face, and reverend crown of snow,
will be a green spot, and indelibly written in our minds,
whilst life lasts."--_Methodist Recorder._

* * * * *

"The work of restoring the church tower at Cheriton Bishop has
been completed, and Mr. Leach has been completed, and Mr.
W. Leach has entertained the men engaged on the work at
tea."--_Western Morning News._

And so everyone is satisfied.

* * * * *

"To-day two Greek documents (one of them dated 88 B.C., and
supposed to be the earliest document on parchment known) will
be sold."--_Daily Graphic._

Scholarly letter-writers before the Christian era were always careful
to put B.C. after the year.

* * * * *

THE YOUNG OF THE SEA-SERPENT.

With the approach of the silly season one's thoughts turn naturally
to the prospect of stealing into print and enjoying all the sweets
of authorship without the reception of a cheque to vulgarise them. An
infinite variety of topics, our representative gathere