tend to this, as Chief
Commissioner of Works, and have the British Museum thrown open, or get
the Trustees, or whatever you call the authorities, to throw it open
daily, or as nearly so as possible, to suit the convenience of
industrious fellows, and the desultory habits of

"AN INCONSTANT READER."

"P.S. HER MAJESTY'S subjects have to thank you for admission to Kew
Gardens on a Sunday. It would be a capital thing if you could get the
Museum opened to them likewise; particularly as the Nineveh sculptures,
I understand, are regular 'sermons in stones'--to borrow the expression
of--I believe--SHAKSPEARE."

* * * * *

RUSSIAN REASONS.

(_Being the English change for_ COUNT NESSELRODE'S _Circular Note_.)

As PRINCE MENSCHIKOFF'S mission has caused a great rumpus,
And a notion prevails that the Czar's in the wrong,
And as England and France may be able to stump us,
These our reasons you'll state, Courts and Cabinets among.

You need scarcely point out that of truth there's no particle
In the monstrous report, that our threatenings of war
Are meant to enforce on the Sultan an article
Which puts twelve million Turks 'neath the thumb of the Czar.

As no Cabinet gravely can hold such a notion,
You will go on at once to impress, at your Court,
The Czar's Christian care and unselfish devotion
For the Russo-Greek Church in the realms of the Porte.

You will say that his feelings are strictly parental
Towards that Church, of which he is the father and head.
That the influence he wields is all moral and mental--
A fact proved by all he has done--at least, said.

Describe the Czar's wish to know wherefore this heat is
At demands which existing conventions allow;
Cite Kainardji's and Adrianople's two treaties,
And point out that they give all we're asking for now.

Show how, from beginning to end of the business,
All about Holy Places the question has been;
That, if 'twixt us and France there was some slight uneasiness,
The horizon on that side is now quite serene.

That the Russo-Greek rights have been clearly admitted,
And secured by a firman, and Hatti-Scheriff;
So that France and the Latin Communions outwitted,
Yield the _pas_ to the Russo-Greek Church and its chief.

Recapitulate then, as these rights--in the first place--
Are what Russia has always enjoyed, beyond doubt;
And as--secondly--