scenery and the admirable stage-management make _Mr.
Lovell_ and his doings bearable. They pull him through. For the rest,
_Pleasure_ is an amusing play, well mounted, and capitally acted, and
should keep the boards until December brings to Drury Lane and a
delighted world the Christmas Pantomime. On the first night all went
well up to the end of the Fifth Act; but the last, after the excitement
of the Riviera scenes, came as rather an anti-climax.--I beg to sign
myself, in compliment to and emulation of the Earthquake, ONE WHO HAD
GONE TO PIECES.

* * * * *

A Hint to the Howlers.

BETWIXT Paddies who kick up wild hullabaloo,
And rude Radical raffs who will play the Yahoo,
There apparently is not a Tanner to choose;
Though the Irishmen boast of the better excuse!
Rads the Message of Peace will not hasten, I trow,
By taking a hand in this Donnybrook row.
To "trid on their coat-tails" is policy mad,
But to help them to swing the shillelagh's as bad.
To ape angry Pats in their weakness for fights,
Is the very worst way to get Ireland her "rights."

* * * * *

AN ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT.--Shut up!

* * * * *

[Illustration: SEA-SIDE WEATHER STUDIES. SET FAIR. WHITBY.]

* * * * *

"ON HIS OWN HOOK!"

A POLITICAL "ANGLER'S SONG."

(_Imitated, at a respectful distance, from Piscator's Song in "The
Compleat Angler._")

_Piscator pipeth_:--

Now private pique breeds party talk,
Some G. would bless, and some would baulk;
Some seem to find it pretty sport,
Changeful constituencies to court.
To share such games I do not wish,
No, for awhile, I'd rather--fish.

Just now I might to danger ride,
There's doubt about the winning side,
One's little game may often prove
Advanced by a _retiring_ move.
For faction's fetter, party's snare,
Whilst angling here I need not care.

Such recreation is there none,
As playing one's own game alone.
Aught else is risky, more or less,
And well may land one in a mess,
My hand alone my work can do,
Here I can fish, and study too.

I care not much to fish the seas,
Me party-angling more doth please;
My present task I contemplate
With patience, not with heart elate.
But in safe waters I would keep,
And floods at home run wild and deep.

I'm not _quite_ cocksure on wh