ough owing to the rain
the course must have been on the soft (roe) side,--by the way you can
get them now in bottles, and very good they are. I am glad to see that
staunch supporter of the turf, Lord ELTHAM, winning races again--as
his horses have been much out of form lately, at least so I am told,
but I was not aware that horses were in a "form" at all, unless being
"schooled" over hurdles.

I shall have a word or two to say on the Cesarewitch shortly--having
had some private information calculated to break a ROTHSCHILD if
followed--but for the moment will content myself with scanning the
programme of the Leicester and Manchester Meetings.

There are two races which seem perhaps worth picking up--one at each
place; and, while giving my selection for the Leicestershire race in
the usual verse, I will just mention that I should have given Lord
DUNRAVEN's _Inverness_ for the Manchester race, but that I see his
Lordship has sent it to America--rather foolish, now that winter is
coming on; but perhaps he has another, and may be doing a kindness to
some poor American Cousin! _St. Angelo_ might win this race without an
Inverness, though I presume he will appear in _some_ sort of clothing.

Yours devotedly, LADY GAY.

LEICESTERSHIRE ROYAL HANDICAP SELECTION.

On seeing an awkward, three-cornered affair,
Which I heard was a racer from Fingal,
And hearing him roaring, and whistling an air,
I said, he'll be beaten by _Windgall_.

P.S.--This is _awful_; but _what_ a horse to have to rhyme to!

* * * * *

"SHUT UP!" AT BARMOUTH!--Mr. GLADSTONE having made up his mind not to
utter another syllable during his holiday, selects as an appropriate
resting-place, a charming sea-side spot where he stops himself, and
where there is a "Bar" before the "mouth."

* * * * *

[Illustration: MR. PUNCH'S FISHING PARTY.]

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE FINDING OF PHARAOH.

_Interesting Discovery in the Dead Season._]

* * * * *

VERY ENTERTAINING.

Dear MR. PUNCH,--So much is done by the organisers of the Primrose
League in the shape of amusements for the people, that it seems
strange "the other side" should not follow suit. Without having
decided political opinions, I like both the Government and Her
Majesty's Opposition to be on equal terms. Hence my suggestion. I see
that, a few days ago, M