PER BASKET AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE,
FROM WHICH IT IS THE DEVOUT HOPE OF THOUGHTFUL POLITICIANS,
THE SETTLED VERDICT OF PUBLIC OPINION,
AND
THE DETERMINED RESOLUTION OF LORD SALISBURY,
THAT ITS SHATTERED FRAGMENTS
SHALL NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
AGAIN EMERGE.

* * * * *

Foul is Fair.

(_A Parliamentary Song of Sixpence._)

THE Irish M.P.'s, who are born to the manner,
Can't see any harm in the language of TANNER.
In war for ould Ireland they boldly declare
That the course they pursue is quite (Donnybrook) fair;
And with joy each impulsive Milesian howler
Cries, "If 'TANNER' be foul, there's 'BOB' that is FOWLER."
But Stooping to Conquer is always their plight;
Sir ROBERT'S, at worst, the Mistakes of a Knight.

* * * * *

THE GREAT THIRST LAND.

WHY, in this clever age,
So "point-device,"
Is there no beverage
Cool, cheap, and nice?
It's safe to rile ye,
Dog-days being here,
When you're charged highly
For iced ginger-beer.

Who can be placid
When sixpence is paid
For sweet citric acid
Dubbed lemonade?
Is there no substitute
Which we may quaff
For tea with milk dilute,
Or shandy-gaff?

A sheer abuse is
Ice joined to beer;
Our gastric juices
Hate it, and fear;
Half-pint-partakers,
When weather's hot,
Barons or bakers,
All go to pot.

Should spirits tempt you,
Need it be said
Nought can exempt you
From a racked head,
Just like poor SISERA?
Soda's a snare?
Milk clogs the viscera;
Of "fizz" beware!

Brandy each new nipper
Maketh go mad;
Juice of the juniper,
_You_'re berry bad!
Now that so many men
Counsel "Abstain!"
It's _rum_ that any men
Drink to their bane.

In this heat tropical,
He's a true friend
Who, philanthropical,
Bids our thirst end.
Will no inventor
Try a new shot?
Here our hopes centre:
Who is our WATT?

Our British livers
Don't care a rap
For "corpse-revivers,"--
A nauseous tap!
Drink for the Million!
Nor dear or heady;
Bring me a chilly one--
_But none is ready!_

* * * * *

THE COURT CIRCULAR.

THE Levee held by Mr. JOHN CLAYTON, and Mr. ARTHUR CECIL, on Friday
night, was numerously attended. Excellent specimens of Mr. PINERO'S work
were presented in the first A