orks of the author, I
can honestly declare that in my opinion it is the best thing that
I have read from her pen, and, further, that it has made a deeper
impression upon me than any other work which I have not read but which
deals with the same subject."

* * * * *

[Illustration: DOPE.

_Jack_. "'ERE'S AN ARTICLE 'ERE ON THE 'FASCINATION OF OPIUM SMOKIN'.'
FASCINATION, I DON'T FINK! THE ONLY TIME I SMOKED IT WAS IN CHINA, AN'
FOR THREE DAYS I 'AD AH 'EAD ON ME LIKE A SMOKE BARRAGE."]

* * * * *

PEACE AND PROMOTION.

Lucasta, prideful times they were
When first it came to pass
That on each shoulder I might bear
A little star of brass.
And when by reason of my zeal
I was awarded twain,
'Twas not mere vanity to feel
Almost as proud again.
My warrior soul was filled with song
In triumph's clearest key,
When, feeling thrice as broad and strong,
My shoulders shone with three.
Yet these I'll gladly from their place
Remove, and in their stead
Support one star of gentler grace--
Lucasta's golden head.

* * * * *

"GENTLEMAN required, knowledge of short-hand essential although
not absolutely necessary."--_Local Paper_.

A very nice distinction.

* * * * *

"In my opinion the Asiatic cholera, 1850-1851, took more lives
and caused more anxiety than the flu. In Spanish Town, with a
population of 5,000, 7,800 died."--_Daily Gleaner_ (_Kingston,
Jamaica_).

We agree that the 'flu mortality can hardly have been greater than
this.

* * * * *

"Flageolets soaked or parboiled previously and placed in alternate
layers in a fireproof dish with sliced tomato or potato sprinkled
with onion also make a valuable dish." _--Evening Paper_.

We have fortunately not yet been reduced to eating our wood-wind
instruments; but we think we should need a double-bass to wash them
down.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Impressed Rustic Sightseer_. "AY, AMOS, IT MUST TAKE
YEARS OF OILING AN' COMBING TO TRAIN HAIR LIKE THAT."]

* * * * *

THE MUD LARKS.

I met a man in the Club at Lille the other day who told me that he
knew all about women. He had studied the subject, he said, and could
read 'em like an open book. He admitted tha