D. That I will, instantly! [Turns to her portfolio, while her father turns to the telescope.]

“DEAR MR. EDITOR:  Pardon the seeming boldness of a stranger: you are no stranger to me! Long, long have I deceived that good man, my father, by pretending to know nothing of the Earth, or of his instrument! Many and many a night, unknown to him, have I gone to the Telescope, to satisfy the restless craving I feel to know more of your Planet, and of a person of your sex whom I have often beheld, and watched with eagerness as he came and went.  How thrilling the thought, that he cannot even know of my existence, and that we are forever separated! This, good and dear Editor, is my one Thought, my one great Agony.

“It has occurred to me that, in this dreadful situation—­my Passion being sufficiently Hopeless, as any one may see—­you might at least afford me some slight alleviation, by undertaking to let Him know of the interest he excites in this far-off star!  Let me describe my charmer, so that you will be able to identify him.  He is of fair size, with a rolling gait and a smiling countenance, has light hair and complexion, wears often a White Hat, (on the back of his head—­where Thoughtful men always place the hat, I’ve been told by observers,) and now and then carelessly leaves one leg of his trowsers at the top of his boot.  I have often seen him, with a bundle of papers in his pocket, entering a large building with the words “Tribune Office” over the door—­and I adore him!  O excellent Editor! tell him this, I implore you!  Be kind to your distant and love-lorn friend,

HELENE.”

F. What did you say, Helene?

D. I was saying that I wished to look a little longer at the fashions in
Broadway.

F. Well, well—­I believe the Fashions are all that these women think of!  There—­look away!  I presume they have changed considerably since you looked before!  When do you wish to begin your lessons in Astronomy?

D. Next week.  Father; let me see:  we will say, next week—­Thursday.

F. Very well; I shall remind you.

D. (who is determined to have the last word, any way.) Very well.

* * * * *

Beach’s Soliloquy on entering his Pneumatic Chamber.

“TU-BE or not tu-be.”

* * * * *

Reflection by a Tallow-chandler.

Though a man be the Mould of fashion, yet he cannot light himself to bed by the Dip in his back.

* * * * *

PLAYS AND SHOWS.

[Illustration:  ‘M’]