tale as told by Mr. BAYLY.
Ah, R. BAYLY! Importunate R. BAYLY!

Avaunt, BOB BAYLY! So will cry officials cold and steely,
Who do not wish to be disturbed while pottering genteely,
At their old business of Red Tape circumlocuting gaily,
By tales of wrecks for want of wires, as truly told by BAYLY.
Oh, R. BAYLY! Importunate R. BAYLY!

Importunate? And quite right too! This shame must once for all close,
Or _Punch_ will plant some stirring kicks on--well, _somebody's_
small-clothes.
The scandal's getting far too grave, alas! to sing of gaily,
But _Punch_ in earnest will back up brave HAMILTON and BAYLY!
Go it, BAYLY! Be importunate still, BOB BAYLY!

See to it, Mr. BULL! _Mr. Punch_, echoing Importunate Mr. BAYLY and
Indignant LAWRENCE HAMILTON, lays it upon you as one of the most
urgent of New Year duties!

* * * * *

[Illustration: MAJOR AND MINIMUS.

_Major_ (_impatiently, to Page-Boy_). "WHY THE DEUCE DON'T YOU _LIFT_
THE COAT ON TO MY SHOULDERS?"]

* * * * *

THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA.

THE ACTORS' OWN PRESS-NOTICES COMPANY LIMITED.

"Then came each actor with his Association." _Shakespeare, New
Reading_.

CAPITAL--quite excellent. The usual thing in sharing terms.

DIRECTORS.

The Managers of London who live at home at ease.

The Actors of England who have a pretty taste for literature.

[Illustration]

BANKERS.--The Wild Time Bank, late PUCK's Limited.

SOLICITORS.--Messrs. BOX AND COX, Bouncer Buildings.

AUDITORS.--Messrs. HEXTRA, SUPER, NUMERY & CO., Mum Street, E.C.

SECRETARY (_pro tem._).--A. PLYACK TORR.

OFFICES.--In the Adelphi.

ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS.

This Company has been formed for the purposes of establishing a
thoroughly reliable newspaper in the interests of the Drama, and the
shareholders belonging to the Theatrical Profession of the United
Kingdom.

1. To uphold every Shareholder's claim to Acting as an Art.

2. To secure the best possible criticism by enabling every shareholder
to write the notices of his own performances.

3. To take cognisance of the literature that grows up around the
Stage, especially criticism in other quarters.

4. To notice the Drama all the world over, when space permits.

5. To support the work of the Profession in general, and the
Shareholders in particular.

6. To afford a means of exercising hobbies.

7. To contain Articles by any o