*

[Illustration: A FUTURE DIPLOMAT.

"MUMMIE, DEAR, YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN ME ENOUGH SUGAR FOR MY STRAWBERRIES!"
(_Mummie helps him to some more sugar._) "_NOW_, MUMMIE, YOU HAVEN'T
GIVEN ME ENOUGH STRAWBERRIES FOR MY SUGAR!"

[_Mummie helps him to more Strawberries!_]

* * * * *

ELECTION NOTES.

(_BY MR. PUNCH'S SPECIAL COMMISSIONER._)

The excitement is getting terrific. In the principal streets party
flags are waving gaily. In the suburbs every other house is hidden
beneath vast posters, setting forth the merits of the rival parties.
The Association of Jam-Dealers held a private meeting last night.
I was, however, enabled to be present having disguised myself as
Mr. BLACKFORD, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Association, who
was taken ill at the last moment, and whose letter of excuse for
non-attendance I managed to intercept. The proceedings opened with
prayer, on the model of the recent Ulster Convention. After this,
the discussion began. A series of questions had, it appears, been
addressed to both Candidates. Here they are:--

(1) Will you oppose any attempt to increase the import of foreign
jam-stuffs?

(2) Will you support a measure making it compulsory for the London
Cooperative Stores to sell only Jam manufactured by the Bunkham
Jam-Dealers' Association?

(3) Will you oppose any measure calculated to deprive the rising
generation of one of the necessaries of life in the shape of Bunkham
Jam? And will you therefore oppose, by all lawful Parliamentary means,
the use of the domestic rod as a punishment for so-called Jam-stealing
out of store-room cupboards?

(4) Which do you prefer, gooseberries, raspberries, or strawberries?

(5) Will you advocate a tax of twopence per pot on all jam not
manufactured in the Bunkham district?

Both Candidates had sent written replies. But it was generally felt
that on the answers to the fourth question, the vote of the meeting
would depend. Bunkham is a district in which raspberries and
gooseberries are almost exclusively grown. Now it is well-known that
Mr. PLEDGER, the Liberal Candidate, has an almost passionate affection
for strawberry-jam, and much interest was shown as to whether he would
be true to his favourite food, or renounce it in order to capture
votes. I am glad to say that the honourable gentleman refused to
palter with his convictions. In a manly and straightforward answer, he
declined to be a party to "a system