t, followed by a small crowd. In about two hours and
a half, however, he returned, accompanied by twelve other middle-aged
City men, and in almost as short a time as it takes me to tell it, I
had fitted them all with large pantomime heads.

He paid the bill and left the shop. I watched them all get on to a
King's Cross and Brompton Omnibus, and that was the last I saw of
them. There is nothing very remarkable in the occurrence, as we are
in the habit of making up disguises, sometimes as many as 500 in an
afternoon on the shortest notice. Still I could not help wondering
upon what business my eccentric friend was bent. A Divorce Case?
Possibly a Murder? Who knows? Perhaps somebody may have met the bevy
down West, and can throw some light upon the subject. Meantime, dear
_Mr. Punch_, I beg to subscribe myself,

Yours respectfully,
A SLY FOX BUT A CAUTIOUS COSTUMIER.

* * * * *

"SHORT NOTICE."--Those who did not hear Mr. GEORGE GROSSMITH'S
entertainment at St. James's Hall last Saturday week lost a very great
treat. There must have been thousands in London at the moment who
suffered this deprivation. Our Special Noticer was among the number.
Let us hope GEE-GEE will do it again, and all shall be forgiven.

* * * * *

[Illustration: TOMMY'S "'ARRIET" DEPARTMENT.

_A Group omitted from the Military Exhibition._]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

_House of Commons, Monday, June 2._--Heligoland is safe, but
there were some anxious moments. GEORGE CAMPBELL led attack. House
reassembled after Whitsun recess. Not many present. OLD MORALITY still
sporting in the country, toying with Amaryllis in the shade, or with
tangles of Neaera's hair. (That's how the Member for Sark puts it,
but admits that it's only poetry.) Mr. G. away too, also GRANDOLPH and
HARTINGTON. JOKIM in charge of Government ship; evidently in mildest
mood; didn't once pounce, though sorely tempted by all-pervadingness
of CAMPBELL. That eminent Statesman only began with Heligoland;
steamed later into the Pacific Seas, and moved reduction of salary of
Deputy Commissioner of the Western Pacific. Wants Heligoland given up.

"Certainly not," said NICHOLAS WOOD; "must take firm stand with these
Separatists. Not quite sure in what part of Ireland Heligoland is
situated. Sounds like Munster; must look it up on map. Mean