hese Dowagers,
dear TOBY, have, if I may say so--using the phrase strictly in
Parliamentary sense--got their arms round the neck of my friend
ATKINSON, and will pull him down. It's a pity, for I think, between
us, we could have put things straight generally."

_Business done_.--Navy Estimates in Commons.

_Friday_.--PHILIPPE EGALITE very rarely troubles House with ordered
speech. A good deal on his mind looking after JACOBY, and keeping
the Party straight. But his silence doesn't arise from incapacity to
speak. This shown to-night in his speech on Railway Rates and Charges.
Full of good matter, admirably delivered. After this, Dr. CLARK
proposed to discuss Home Rule; but House didn't seem to care about
it particularly. So at Half-past Eight was Counted Out. This was the
chief _Business done_.

* * * * *

THE FINE YOUNG GERMAN EMPEROR.

(_A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE._)

I'll sing to you a brand new song, made by a modern pate,
Of a fine young German Emperor, an Oracle of State,
Who kept up his autocracy at the bountiful old rate,
With the aid of Socialism for the poor men at his gate;
This fine young German Emperor, all of the modern time.

His ancestors had "kept their fingers on the pulse of time"
(He said), and he'd do ditto in a fashion more sublime;
For, as BACON said of Nature, he who'd rule her must obey.
And that with modern "tendency," is the new imperial way,
Of this fine young German Emperor, &c.

He'd "mastered the new Spirit," which (how kind!) "he'd not oppose."
Social reform or Education _he_'d not treat as foes,
But keep step with the "Tendencies" which else might trip his toes,
And thus he'd "head the movement," and would lead it (by the nose?),
This fine young German Emperor, &c.

Now surely this is better far than all the old parade
Of tyranny in mufti, and of greed in masquerade;
And of this young German Emperor, whatever may be said,
Or of his new vagaries, you'll allow _he knows his trade_,
Does this fine young German Emperor, &c.

There were some who did not like it,--there are always such, one knows,
Who Ancient Order patronise, and Modern Style oppose.
Particularly one Old Man, who plainly did not see
Laying down his long-held power, and submitting tranquilly
To this fine young German Emperor, &c.

_He_ was no CINCINNATUS, and he did not love the plough,
So he talked,