abilities for which
purposes they also direct the attention of their customers."

* * * * *

<big><big>L16,000</big></big> URGENTLY wanted for a few hours in a
friendly spirit. As every confidence will be placed in the lender,
no inquiries will be made or expected. Moreover, this being a
purely unprofessional, but strictly business transaction, as between
gentleman and gentleman, no amount of interest will be objected to,
and no agents will be treated with. N.B.--If lender is unable at a
moment's notice to raise so large a sum, a few shillings in advance
per postal order, if merely as a guarantee of good faith, can be
forwarded on account, and will be acknowledged with thanks.

* * * * *

THE POETRY OF WINTER.--Rime. And it might be werse.

* * * * *

[Illustration: SHADOWS OF THE SESSION; OR, THE LONG (FACED)
PARLIAMENT.]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

_House of Commons, Monday, December 8_.--Prince ARTHUR came down to
House this afternoon, with light heart, and unwrinkled brow. The first
section of Session was drawing to a close; truly a wonderful time.
OLD MORALITY, in arranging for its disposal, had, as usual, taken a
sanguine view of his opportunities, and had crammed the space with
work to be done. There were the Tithes Bill and the Land Purchase
Bill, ineffectually struggled over last Session, and finally
abandoned. There was the Railways Bill, successfully obstructed last
Session, leading, on one occasion, to an All-night Sitting; and there
was the Seed Potato Bill, innocent enough in appearance, but, like
all Irish measures, capable of blossoming into portentous things. But
everything had gone smoothly. Here was the 8th of December, not
quite a fortnight after opening of Session, and appointed work nearly
finished. To-night would read a Second Time second portion of Land
Bill, and then, hey, for the Christmas holidays!

[Illustration: Surveying the Battle-field.]

Prince ARTHUR, entering House with long, swinging stride, smiling
sweetly around him, started at the prospect before him. Hitherto
Benches in Irish quarter have been empty; accustomed occupants
wrestling with each other in Committee Room No. 15. "For a fortnight,"
as SYDNEY HERBERT said, dropping into poetry as he surveyed the
battle-field from the Bar, "all bloodless l