name was uttered, or, rather, mispronounced. She sank on her knees;
and, on regaining her feet, was hustled away, to follow a number of
fellow-victims who had been treated with like indignity.

Once more there was the bitter cold. This time the draughts were met
in that hall, and endured, until the conveyance arrived to move us
on--she to stand for a couple of hours amidst gossiping friends, and I
to go to bed.

But the seeds of death were sown! She never recovered the shock, and
an addition to the inscriptions above the family-vault tells of her
early decease!

And who was this poor girl? A homeless one, wandering the streets
of London? or a political prisoner, on her way to Siberia? Neither!
She was merely a _debutante_, attending her first (and last) Spring
Drawing-room at Buckingham Palace!

* * * * *

NOTE (_by Our Own Noodle_).--_Father Buonaparte_, at the Olympic,
judging from the account of it in the _Times_, seems to consist of
"a part" for our WILSON BARRETT, the remainder being skeletonish, or
"boney."

* * * * *

[Illustration: "MATTHEWS AT HOME." (NEW VERSION OF AN OLD
ENTERTAINMENT.)]

* * * * *

RAIKES REX!

Somebody once said that ultimately the Solar System would
probably become a branch of the General Post Office. The
present Postmaster-General is obviously of opinion that that
state of things has already come about.

To rule a realm as limitless as space,
With the great G.P.O. as Central Sun,
RAIKES is the man. Of Great Panjandrum race,
He's Autocrat and Oracle in one.
The Universe indeed were no great shakes
Without RAIKES _Rex_ for Ruler. _Vivat_ RAIKES!!!

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

_House of Commons, Monday, March_ 16.--House of Commons really looked
to-night as if it meant fighting. No lack of matter for quarrel.
Even before public business was reached, Orders bristled with Motions
raising controversial points. Lord CHUNNEL-TANNEL, that man of peace,
was to the fore; his Bill, extending Manchester. Sheffield, and
Lincolnshire Railway into London _via_ Lord's Cricket Ground, down for
Second Reading. That redoubtable Parliamentary Archer BAUMANN also
on alert. Has taken under his personal charge the social and material
welfare of Metropolis; at one time HARRY LAWSON, on othe