n has pulled himself
together, and is uncommonly well. By the way, it is but fair to the
sculptor to state that his name is--ahem!--"WALKER."

* * * * *

[Illustration: AN ANTEDILUVIAN SURVIVAL.

_AEsthetic Party (looking over Furnished House)._ "A--I'M AFRAID, MY
LOVE, THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF DINING-ROOM--A--IN WHICH ONE WOULD FEEL
THAT ONE OUGHT TO DINE AT SIX O'CLOCK!!!"]

* * * * *

"NOT SUCH A FOOL AS HE LOOKS."

_Leo Britannicus, loquitur_;--

GOOD Gentlemen both, you're on opposite tacks!
Well, your plans you are perfectly welcome to try on.
They talk of the patience of lambs, or park hacks;
They're not in it, my lads, with an elderly Lion.
A Lion, I mean, of the genuine breed,
And not a thin-skinned and upstart adolescent.
Dear me! did I let everybody succeed
In stirring me up, or in making things pleasant,
By smoothing me down in a flattering style,
I'd have, there's no doubt, a delectable time of it.
You think I look drowsy, and smile a fat smile;
Well, what if I do? Where's the very great crime of it?
A Lion, you know, is not all roar and ramp,
So, STANLEY my hero, why worry and chivey?
Mere blarney won't blind me; I'm not of that stamp;
So don't hope to hypnotise _me_, good CAPRIVI.
Why, bless you, my boys, long before you were cubbed
I was charged, by your betters, with being too lazy;
But rivals have found, when outwitted or drubbed,
That a calm waiting game is not always so crazy.
In Indian jungles, American plains,
And far Eastern wilds, they have fancied me "bested,"
Because, when hot rivals were hungry for gains,
I kept my eyes open, and patiently rested.
A stolid and sleepy expression _will_ steal
At times, I'm aware, o'er my leonine features;
But, when the time's ripe, my opponents may feel
I'm _not_ the most easily humbugged of creatures.
In North as in South, in the East as the West,
Opponents _have_ planted their paws down before me.
But where are they now, boys? _J'y suis, j'y reste!_
Staying power is the thing; so don't bully and bore me.

I hear you, my STANLEY, I hear you and mark;
To snub you for patriot zeal were ungracious;
But--well, after all, on your Continent Dark
My footprints are plain, and my realm's pretty spacious.
I don't mean to say that a purblind content
My power should palsy, my polic