ariably were "just right."

When the "big cut" has been decided on, the question of a single-page or
double-page engraving sometimes comes up; and then the legend has to be
settled. This (irreverently known as "cackle" by those who produce it)
is largely the work of Mr. E. J. Milliken, who nowadays occupies a good
deal of Shirley Brooks's old position of "suggestor," and who, like him,
is living testimony of the truth of John Seddon's saying that "wit and
wisdom are born with a man." For many years Mr. Milliken has suggested
the greater number of the cartoons, and he is generally the first asked
for a proposal for Sir John Tenniel's cut. He usually has several
subjects, carefully considered and as carefully written out, in his
pocket-book, and fitted with peculiarly felicitous quotations. He is
also mainly responsible for the Almanac cartoons--subjects for both the
great _Punch_ satirists--Sir John, and Mr. Linley Sambourne. All,
however, share with him the duty and the credit of the difficult art of
cartoon-suggesting, and, no matter by whom it may be proposed, no
subject is passed without full discussion. Every possible objection is
heard and considered. Although Mr. Milliken may bring in his Bill,
amendments are always proposed, and are either rejected or carried; and
then the Bill as amended becomes the subject of the cartoon. The title
and legend are written on a piece of paper, which, enclosed in an
envelope, is then handed over to the cartoonist. It was at this moment
that Shirley Brooks used to throw down his knife in order to "cut" any
further discussion, and after that symbolic act a more desultory
conversation on the other men's work would follow. Not on Leech's,
however; for he was left greatly to himself--a piece of masterly
inactivity and non-interference on the Editor's part which speaks
volumes for Lemon's prudence and shrewd discrimination.

Under Mr. Burnand's _regime_ the course of events is a little altered.
For even while Sir John has begun to think out the composition and the
technical details of the subject which the Council has determined, and
is scheming maybe in his own mind how best he may arrange his figures so
that when he draws them the heads will not come across a join on the
wood-block where its segments are screwed together; or, again, how so to
arrange an exceptionally elaborate subject that Mr. Swain may still have
it ready for engraving in good time on the Friday evening, the attentio