ness. It says--(_reads_)--"documents were
submitted, on behalf of the United States, to prove that Russia had
never abandoned her sovereign rights in the manner suggested by Great
Britain." How, on earth, does Russia manage to crop up everywhere? And
where is this confounded Behring Sea?

_Second W. I. M._ (_vaguely_). It's somewhere in America, or
Newfoundland, or thereabouts.

_Inquirer._ But how about Russia?

_Second W. I. M._ Oh, Russia shoves her oar in whenever we get into a
difficulty of any kind anywhere.

_Inquirer_ (_persisting_). Yes--but how can she have any "sovereign
rights" in America?

_Second W. I. M._ (_haughtily, but evasively_). My dear fellow, if
you had followed the thing properly, you wouldn't ask the question.
There's no time now to explain it all to you, as it's very
complicated, and goes back a long way. But you may take it from me
that Russia has got certain rights, and that she means to make things
as disagreeable for us as she can.

[_A pause._

_Inquirer._ It's rather a rum start, isn't it? sending out Sir
CHARLES RUSSELL and Sir RICHARD WEBSTER. They're on opposite sides of
politics.

_First W. I. M._ That's just why they send 'em. RUSSELL has got to put
the Liberal view, and WEBSTER the Conservative.

_Inquirer._ Of course, of course; I never thought of that. By the way,
have you ever seen a seal?

_First W. I. M._ They've got one at the Zoo. Catches fish, and kisses
the keeper, and all that sort of game.

_Inquirer._ What, that big beast that looks as if it was made of
india-rubber, with long whiskers and a sort of fish-tail?

_First W. I. M._ That's it.

_Inquirer_ (_with profound disgust_). Well, I _am_ blessed! Is _that_
all they're jawing about?

[_Terminus._

* * * * *

IN MEMORIAM--"THE DEVIL'S OWN."

["Notwithstanding the efforts made by the Inns of Court
Rifles, supported by the Authorities of the Inns, to increase
the strength of the corps, the additional enrolments lately
made have been judged by the War Office not sufficient
to warrant the continued maintenance of the corps as an
independent battalion; and orders have been given for its
reduction from six to four companies, for the withdrawal of
the Adjutant, and for the attachment of the corps to the 4th
Middlesex Rifles."--_Daily Paper._]

Oh, how bright were the days when we all of us saw
In their martial e