To see the smiling flower,
And as He laughed the Marigold
Turned gold in that same hour.
For she was gay and innocent--
He loved to see her so--
And from the splendour of His face
She caught a golden glow.

* * * * *

AN OPTIMIST.

"I have just completed a fortnight's tour on a tandem, and can
recommend this form of a holiday as the best I know of.... One Sunday
in June, without exaggeration, I was nearly killed twice, and my wife
was overcome with fright."--_C.T.C. Gazette._

* * * * *

"In a competition at Claygate, Surrey, three children caught 182 green
wasps."--_Daily Paper._

It is believed that they would not have been caught if they had not been
green.

* * * * *

From a recent Admiralty Order:--

"Approval has been given for frocks to be issued to N.C. Officers and
men (Royal Marines) during the current year, for walking out purposes
only."

It is believed that His Majesty's Jollies have received the order without
enthusiasm, on the ground that no mention is made of anything being inside
the frocks.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE ICONOCLAST.

SIR ALFRED MOND. "I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO DISTURB YOUR MAJESTY, BUT, OWING TO
THE SHORTAGE OF SITES--"

GEORGE III. "SHORTAGE OF SIGHTS, INDEED!"

[It is understood that a number of London statues, including that of George
III. in Cockspur Street, are to be removed by the Office of Works to make
room for new ones.]]

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Heavy Father._ "PUT YOUR 'AT ON THIS MINUTE, SIR. DO YOU
WANT TO CATCH YOUR DEATHERCOLD?"]

* * * * *

THE VISIONARY.

'Twas last week at Pebble Bay
That I saw the little goat,
Harnessed to a little shay.
Old was he and poor in coat,
And he lugged his load along
Where the barefoot children throng
Round the nigger minstrels' song.

But his eye, aloof and chill,
Said to me as plain as plain,
"I am waiting, waiting still,
Till the gods come back again;
Starved and ugly, mean, unkempt,
I have dreams by you undreamt,
And--I hold you in contempt!

"Dreams of forest routs that trooped,
Shadowy maidens crowned with vines,
Dreams where Dian's self has stooped
Darkling 'neath the scented pines;
Or where he, old father P