her.

"Beware of worthless foreign imitations, which dishonest dealers will
try to foist upon you.

"Of Mahatmas young, and Mahatmas old,
Of Mahatmas meek, and Mahatmas bold,
Of Mahatmas gentle, and Mahatmas rough,
We lay long odds that we'll sell enough."

The financial column of the Journal of the Future, we may expect, will
read somewhat as follows:--"Mahatmas opened weak, but slowly advanced a
third. Later they became stronger, and closed firm at 8-1/4.
Latest--Mahatmas fell rapidly."

_Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis._

* * * * *

CHARITY BEGINS ABROAD.--The following advertisement (which recently
appeared in the _Times_) has been sent for solution:--

GENTLEMAN, with knowledge of business and disposing of
100,000 francs, is desirous of REPRESENTING, either in
Europe, Africa, America, or elsewhere, a serious FIRM,
capable of giving important profits. Offers to be
addressed, &c.

In reply to this appeal, _Mr. Punch_ begs to say that "the gentleman
with knowledge of business" seems to be anxious to act as an _alter ego_
to a serious (not a jocular) firm "capable of giving profits."
"GENTLEMAN" does not specify whose profits the serious firm is capable
of giving, and thus it may be presumed that the 100,000 francs would
form the capital with which the charitable transaction would be
conducted. This is the more probable as "GENTLEMAN" says he knows how to
dispose of them.

* * * * *

ALL ROUND THE FAIR.

No. IV.

The Irish Giant Baby "At Home."

The exterior of the Show is painted to represent a
Cottage, and bears the highly improbable name of "Polly
O'Gracious," with an even less credible announcement
that this is the identical "little cot where she was
born." Inside is an ordinary tent, with a rough platform
at the further end, whereon is an empty chair, at which
a group of small Boys, two or three young Women, and
some middle-aged Farm-labourers, have been solemnly and
patiently staring for the last quarter of an hour.

_First Farm Labourer_ (_to Second_). I bin in 'ere 'bout erf an hour, I
hev, and ain't seed nowt so fur!

_Second F. L._ Same 'ere! Seems to take 'em a proper good time a-gittin'
o' this 'ere baby claned up!

_First F. L._ Ah, it do. But look at the _size_ on her!

_Second F. L._ Size! They cudn't be no slower not with a hellyphant!