not improbable, considerable fidelity. They are rough sketches, not
by any means highly finished, but then such was the character of the
original models. Before, however, it can be accepted by the general
public as giving an unexaggerated picture of a certain sort of
stage-life, it ought to have the _imprimatur_ or the _nihil obstat_
of some generally acknowledged head of the profession; for "the
profession" is Hydra-like in this respect--a republican creation, with
many heads. THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

* * * * *

[Illustration: ENCOURAGEMENT.

_Professional Golfer_ (_in answer to anxious question_). "WEEL, NO,
SIR, AT YOUR TIME O' LIFE, YE CAN NEVER HOPE TO BECOME A _PLAYER_; BUT
IF YE PRACTISE HARD FOR THREE YEARS, YE MAY BE ABLE TO TELL GOOD PLAY
FROM BAD WHEN YE SEE IT!"]

* * * * *

THE "PAPER-CHASE."

_The Hare (with many financial friends) loquitur_:--

Here goes! 'Tis a rather new line--
But that is no very great matter.
If they've faith in a lead, 'tis in mine,
So a tentative trail let me scatter,
The old track of country this time I'll forsake;
I trust they'll not think I have made a mistake?

That old line of country they know,
Across it for years they've been rangers,
All right, when the going is slow,
When 'tis fast, are they fly to its dangers?
For Hares to raise scares 'midst the Hounds were improper,
But how if the pack come a general cropper?

Remarkably near it last time,
Though some of 'em didn't suspect it;
But _I_ spy the peril! 'Twere crime
If I did not help them to detect it.
If they don't like my trail they must give me the sack;
I'd rather be bullied than break up the pack.

They fancy I'll keep the old course,
There or thereabout. But I've a notion!
They'll grumble perhaps, with some force,
But they're not going to flurry G. GOSCHEN.
Of this havresack there have been some smart carriers--
I'll make 'em sit up, though, the L.S.D. Harriers!

I love 'em, each supple-shanked lad,
'Most as much as--Statistics. To trudge it
For _them_ makes my bosom as glad
As--Big Surplus, and Popular Budget;
And so I should like to secure them a run,
Combining snug safety with plenty of fun.

I don't wont to lessen their speed,
I don't want to hamper their daring;
But rashness won't always succeed--
Just ask that smart runner, young B-R-NG