of life!

* * * * *

A PLEBISCITE FOR PARNASSUS.

[The result of the _Pall Mall's_ competition for the
Laureateship has been to place Mr. ERIC MACKAY and Mr.
GILBART-SMITH first and second, and SWINBURNE and MORRIS
nowhere.]

A popular vote the Laureate's post to fill?
Ay! if Parnassus were but Primrose Hill.
The Penny Vote puts lion below monkey.
'Tis "Tuppence more, Gents, and _up goes the donkey!_"

* * * * *

QUITE MOVING.--_From Far and Near_ and _All Alive_, are two excellent
"movable toy-books" that will please the little ones (when their
seniors are tired of playing with them) far into the Yule-tide season.
The author is LOTHAR MAGGENDORFER, a gentleman to whom _Mr. Punch_
wishes a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." This may appear a
little premature, but it is a far cry from England to Germany, and the
Sage of Fleet Street has allowed for any delays that may be caused by
fogs, railway unpunctuality, and other necessary evils.

* * * * *

THE AMERICAN GANYMEDE.

[Illustration]

[The extraordinary triumph of Mr. GROVER CLEVELAND, Democratic
Candidate for the American Presidency, is attributed to a
general revolt against the McKinley Bill.]

O plump and pant-striped boy, upborne,
Like Ganymede of old,
_Punch_ hails you, with your slack, untorn,
Fast in the Eagle's hold.
It is, indeed, a startling sight
That speculation tarries on;
And it must give an awful fright
To Hebe (_alias_ HARRISON!)

Up, up to the Olympus, where
The White House spreads its board,
Whirled high through the electoral air,
A boy less long than broad!
He looks not like the Tammany breed,
That with high tariffs dally;
He proves, this Yankee Ganymede,
The Democratic rally.

This eagle's a colossal fowl,
Like _Sindbad's_ monstrous Roc,
A bird of prey some say, a-prowl
Like that Stymphalian flock,
With iron claws and brazen beak,
Intent to clutch and collar,
Fired with devotion strong, yet weak,
To the Almighty Dollar.

Pooh! Plunder's not his only joy.
He hovered till he saw
"A something-pottle-bodied boy,"
Who spurned MCKINLEY'S Law.
He stooped and clutched him, fair and good,
Flew nigh o'er roof and casement,
Whilst the Republicans all stood
Agape in sheer amazement.

He soars with