to keep the Broad free
from tourists. He certainly does it "as to the Manor born." Quite a
village autocrat. Shall I be the "Village HAMPDEN?" I will.

Fishing. Several men on bank shouting at me. One comes off in a boat
and serves me with a summons. This might almost be called a Broad hint
to go away! But I don't go. I stop and fish. Another man comes off in
boat and threatens me with action "on behalf of riparian owners." Tell
him "ripe-pear-ian season isn't till Autumn, and I shall wait here
till then." He doesn't see the joke--perhaps too broad for him.

Other yachtsmen, we hear, have been stopped, and threatened. Yachtsmen
up in arms generally. Savage artists wander along banks, denouncing
Lord of Manor of Hickling. Say they have "right of way" along banks
(sounds as if they were Railway Guards). Hear that Lord of Manor is
going to put a gunboat on Broad, also torpedoes. Hear, also, that
Wroxham Broad--one of the biggest--is to be closed in same way.

Disgusted at such inhospitality. Back to Yarmouth. Give up yacht,
and decide to go to Switzerland instead. Find Yarmouth yacht-owners
furious with Hickling's Lord of Bad Manners. Say "closing the Broads
will ruin them." Very likely, but it'll help the foreign hotel-keeper.
Glad to see they've started a "Norfolk Broads Protection Society,"
subscriptions to be sent to Lloyd's Bank. "I know a Bank"--and all
lovers of natural scenery and popular rights ought to know it too, and
help in giving the Hickling obstructionist a "heckling," when he takes
the matter (also the Manor) into Court.

* * * * *

[Illustration: INANITIES OF THE DRAWING-ROOM.

"SEEN THE _ENFANT PRODIGUE_, MR. SOFTEY?"

"NO; WAITING TILL THEY DO IT IN _ENGLISH_!"]

* * * * *

A TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

(_A SCENE OF TO-DAY, IN A SHAKSPEARIAN SETTING._)

_Mr. Punch_. "How now, my hearts! Did you never see the picture of
'_We Three_?'"

_Emperor_. Marry, forfend, _Mr. Punch_! Well quoted indeed, and,
pertinently, from the Swan! "A mellifluous, voice, as I am a true
Knight!" But talk not of things triune too openly, lest quidnuncs
overhear, and L-B-CH-RE devise thereanent fresh heckling
interrogations for the Treasury Bench.

_Mr. Punch_. Nay, Kaiser; 'tis not the actual Triple, but the
conceivable Quadruple, that perturbs the importunates. _We_ Three form
an informal but fast-knit trinity, that can offend none but churls,
and affright n