pingest one--
And when he perceived the impertinent Yank
With the seal--such a spanker!--skedaddling like fun,
He stood and he shouted, "Stop thief! Hi! Hold hard!"
For language does not always "go by the card,"
When parties go "bouncing" and "boning."

"Now then, you sea-grabbers," he bellowed, "Belay!
I suppose you imagine I'm out of it quite.
But you're not going to have it just all your own way.
Fair dues! my dear boys. After all, right is right!
Big Behring is no _mare clausum_, young Yank,
And cold Newfoundland is not _yours_, my fine Frank,
In spite of your 'bouncing' and 'boning.'"

Well, he of the Lobster and he of the Seal
Have rights of their own, which old JOHN won't deny.
But _he_ has some too, and _Punch_ hopes they will feel
That they should not grab his, and had better not try.
Some _modus vivendi_ no doubt can be found,
To make the Three Fishers quite friendly all round,
And good-bye to all "bouncing" and "boning!"

* * * * *

ELCHO ANSWERS.

_Q._ What loves "The Country" more than Tithes Bills tracing?
_A._ Racing!
_Q._ And what than "Compensation's" doubtful courses?
_A._ 'Orses!
_Q._ Than Bills of Irish Tenants poor to favour rights?
_A._ Favourites!
_Q._ What does it find as profitless as St. Stephens?
_A._ "Evens!"
_Q._ What more exciting than "The Pouncer's" nods?
_A._ "Odds!"
_Q._ What does it love far more than LABBY'S jokes?
_A._ "Oaks!"
_Q._ And what beyond all ELCHO'S quirks and quips?
_A._ "Tips!"
_Q._ What would it call him who of "Sport" turns squelcher?
_A._ "Welsher!!!"
_Q._ Who finds the "Derby" closing satisfactory?
_A._ Hack Tory!
_Q._ What's the protesting Puritan Gladstonian?
_A._ "Stony 'un!"

* * * * *

GERMAN MOTTO IN AFRICA.--"_For Farther Land!_"

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THREE FISHERS."

JOHN BULL. "HULLO! YOU SEA-GRABBERS!--WHERE DO _I_ COME IN?"]

* * * *