come on,
then--there's a bar 'andy!

[_They adjourn for refreshment._

* * * * *

PROVERBS PRO OMNIBUS.--Directly the Chairman of the General Omnibus
Company observed that if the men's demands were conceded the fares
would have to be raised, there was a rush to be the first out with
the old proverb about Penny wise and Pound foolish. However, "In for a
penny" remains as heretofore, the _employes_ having successfully gone
"in for a Pound." Let them now "take care of the pence," and they may
feel well assured that this particular POUND will be able to take care
of himself. Well, farewell the tranquillity of the streets of last
week! Henceforth not "chaos," but "'Bus 'os," has come again!

* * * * *

NOLENS VOLENS.

[Illustration]

Dear MR. PUNCH,--I hear that some people are in a great state of mind
lest some blessed Bill brought in by the Government, should "destroy
Voluntary Schools." What howling bosh! Why, there _are no_ Voluntary
Schools! No, they're all Compulsory, confound 'em! or who'd attend
'em? Not Yours disgustedly,

A HUMAN BOY.

* * * * *

MR. WELLER & CO., AND THE 'BUS STRIKE.--Mr. SUTHERST seems to occupy,
as towards the 'Bus-drivers, a similar position to that filled by the
eminent _Mr. Solomon Pell_, the general adviser, and man of business
to the Elder _Mr. Weller_, and his professional coaching brethren. It
is to be hoped that the _Solomon Pell_ of the 'Bus-drivers has been
treated as liberally as was the real _Mr. Pell_, the friend of the
LORD CHANCELLOR, by _Mr. Weller_ Senior, the Mottle-faced Man, and
others.

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

[Illustration]

The most interesting book, one of the Baron's Retainers ("blythe and
gay,") has read this year is, _The Life of Laurence Oliphant_. If it
were not written by a reputable person, and published by so eminently
respectable a house as BLACKWOOD's, there would be difficulty about
accepting it as a true story of the life of a man whom some of us
knew, as lately living in London, wearing a frock coat, and even a
tall hat of cylindrical shape. Such a mingling of shrewd business
qualities and March madness as met in LAURENCE OLIPHANT is surely a
new thing. A man of gentle birth, of high culture, of wide experience,
of supreme ability, and, strangest of all, with a keen sense of
humour--that such an one shou