e of the uneventful life at Royat.

* * *

For "Excursions from Royat by Rail or Road," see my Guide-Book,
forthcoming.

* * *

This advice, "_See my Guide_," or "_See my History_," is perpetually
recurring as a friendly hint--it really being a most artful way of
introducing an advertisement to your notice--in that invaluable
publication, the _Guides Diamant, P. Joanne_, series, HACHETTE & CIE.,
without which no traveller's pocket or bag is completely furnished. Time
for _siesta_.

* * * * *

FIRST IN THE FIELD.

_A Song of the Cricket Championship._

[Illustration: Em met. (Yorks.)]

THE GRACES are hers, but the Parcae have tost her
Of late, so the Championship won't go to Gloucester;
Despite brave Lord HARRIS, and efforts well-meant,
That honour won't fall to the bold Men of Kent.
'Twould have charmed not a few of the "better for wus" sex,
Had luck smiled (not she!) on their sweethearts of Sussex;
And, though it is famed as the pluck and hard-work shire,
The top of the tree is not reached yet by Yorkshire.
Dame Fortune, that Sphinx of the riddle-cum-diddle sex,
Crowns not with success the crack Batsmen of Middlesex.
Spite of SHREWSBURY, GUNN, and such cricketing pots,
Her Song for this season is "_No, not for Notts!_"
And, although "runner-up" (if like greyhounds one rank a shire)
She's _just_ missed first place, has stout HORNBY-led Lancashire.
Thanks--in chief--to young LOHMANN, whom fate cannot flurry,
The Championship once more comes South. Bravo, Surrey!

[Illustration: Pilling. (Lancs.)]

* * * * *

OMINOUS.--Lord R. CHURCHILL is to address a meeting of Unionists at
Sunderland. Hardly strikes one as quite a suitable spot for that
purpose, _Sunderland_ being rather suggestive of the Separatist policy
that Lord RANDOLPH and his friends are so strongly opposed to. The Home
Rulers would have chosen Cumberland as more appropriate.

* * * * *

[Illustration: Pleasure Parties.]

* * * * *

DRURY LANE WITH PLEASURE.

MY DEAR MR. PUNCH,

IT was only what might have been expected that a large audience should
assemble in the National Theatre to see the new piece by Messrs. PAUL
MERRITT and AUGUSTUS HARRIS. The very title was inviting, and when to
that title were added scenes in Oxford, Monte Carlo, Nice and
Gloucestershire, who