And of our errors turn astute detective,
Whate'er the "blessing" may be, the "disguise"
Is most effective.

The "Union" Cause our Country's cause remains,
But oh! how long shall we remain its bosses,
If all our blessings come disguised as banes,
Our gains as losses?

Is it, sweet optimist, too much to ask
That you, and all our failures, muddles, messings,
Should, just to comfort us, throw off the mask,
And come _as_ blessings?

* * * * *

We were glad to hear that the charges brought against the London
Scottish rested upon the slightest possible foundation. There let them
rest. They will not now change their title to the London Skittish.

* * * * *

DUMB CRAMBO AT WIMBLEDON.

[Illustration: Bar'll cool her]

[Illustration: An excellent Range-Finder.]

* * * * *

[Illustration: A DAY IN THE COUNTRY.

_Little Tommy (who has never been out of Whitechapel before)._ "OH! OH!
OH!"

_Kind Lady._ "WHAT'S THE MATTER, TOMMY?" _Little Tommy._ "WHY, WHAT A
BIG SKY THEY'VE GOT 'ERE, MISS!"]

* * * * *

AT THE NAVAL REVIEW.

_Neptune (to Vulcan)._ Hillo, Mate, _you_ here?

_Vulcan._ Yes, my hearty; why _not_?

_Neptune._ Well, my ancient monopoly's all gone to pot.
You've been "inching it in," for a number of years;
Your Lemnos no longer has charms, it appears
To detain you on shore. Once a Naval Review
To a smithy-smoked game-legged land-lubber like you----

_Vulcan._ Oh, avast heaving there, Mate!

_Neptune._ By Jove, he's as pat
At our nautical patter as DIBDIN, that's flat.
Can't you tip us "_Tom Bowling_"?

_Vulcan._ Aye! (_sings_) "Here a sheer hulk"----

_Neptune._ Oh, stop! _What_ a voice for a chap of your bulk!
'Tis as shrill as a file-squeak, and equally mellow.

_Vulcan._ Oh yes, you old Stentor, a big breezy bellow
Is your _sole_ idea of a song.

_Neptune (offering his 'baccy-box amicably)._ Have a quid?

_Vulcan._ I don't care if I do. But you know as a kid
After leaving Olympus----

_Neptune._ Ha! ha! A fair "chuck."
Poor Juno! She felt she was quite out of luck,
To bear such a skinny young dot-and-go-one.

_Vulcan._ Oh, if these are your manners----