ly 23, 1887._)

[IN replying to a Naval Deputation which waited upon the QUEEN with
a Jubilee Album and Address, HER MAJESTY said, "she felt certain
that the Navy would always uphold the honour of the Kingdom."]

RIGHT Royal Lady on the throne!
From stem to starn, from top to kelson,
The British Fleet is all your own,
To-day as in them times of NELSON.
'Twill help you still to rule the wave,
Though swabs may croak and lubbers twaddle;
That Album MILNE our Admiral gave,
Shows many a change in rig and model,
But could they hail us at Spithead.
To-day, old DRAKE, or HOWE or HOWARD,
They'd find the race as never bred,
To scour the brine, traitor or coward.
What the old _Victory_ did of old,
The _Ajax_ or the _Devastation_
Would dare to-day, and JACK makes bold,
In this here year of Jubilation,
To answer to his Sovereign's trust,
Like every British son of ADAM,
('Midst the enthoosiatic bust
Of loud hoorays) _his_ "Aye, aye, Madam!"

* * * * *

MR. PUNCH'S HISTORICAL PARALLELS. No. 1.

[Illustration: LORD CHURCHILL, KNOWN AS GRANDOLPH, AT THE BATTLE OF THE
ESTIMATES.]

* * * * *

SEEING HIS WAY.

THE _Times_ Correspondent at Berlin lately alleged that the cautious and
diplomatic attitude of Prince FERDINAND of Coburg had somewhat damped
the enthusiasm of the deputation that waited on him to offer him the
Bulgarian Throne. The following are a few of the "posers" that His
Serene Highness is said to have put to the delegates on the occasion in
question.

What sort of a place is Sofia? Does the climate resemble that of
Hampstead, will it support two Italian Operas in the Season, can it
boast an Underground Railway, and does it contain any respectable agent
for the sale of Turkish cigarettes?

Does the Palace want repapering? Does it contain a throne, regalia, and
other royal appurtenances, left by the late tenant; and, if not, could
the deputation recommend any local emporium where these and other
suitable and necessary things could be temporarily secured at
advantageous terms on the three years' hire system?

Will the Royal Salary touch L300 a year, and will it be paid regularly
in cash, and not in promissory notes at uncertain intervals? Will the
great Sobranje vote an additional sum to the civil list for
boot-cleaning and the expenses of a weekly charwoman for the Royal
ho