Second Official.  Then you evidently knew his name all along.  Why on earth did you ask me?

First Official.  You see, it’s like this.  I had a bet on with a man at the Club that out of ten Government officials not more than one would know the Minister’s name.  You didn’t, and you happen to be the ninth who didn’t, so I’ve won my bet.  By the way, do you know what has become of the chef at the Giorgione?

Second Official.  You mean old Savary, who was always gassing about his descent from NAPOLEON’S General?  I think he went back to Paris some time ago.

First Official.  Thanks; then I win my second bet—­that out of ten Government officials five would know his name.

* * * * *

UNNATURAL HISTORY.

From a feuilleton:—­

    “She watched him catch the sticklebacks which were one day to turn
    into frogs.”

    Church Family Newspaper.

* * * * *

    “The Crown Prince expressed hope he would one day be able to return
    to Germany and live there as a sample citizen.”—­Bath Herald.

We don’t think quite so badly of the Germans as all that.

* * * * *

    “To Property Owners and Hotel Proprietors.—­Start Redecorating and
    Repairs now, before the rush comes, and gives the boys returning a
    chance for work.”—­Provincial Paper.

Personally, we shall postpone our order until the boys do come home.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Artist.  “I CAN’T AFFORD TEN POUNDS.  MY BANK TELLS ME I’M OVERDRAWN NOW.”

His Wife.  “SURELY YOU CAN GET IT AT ANOTHER BANK?  THEY CAN’T ALL BE AS HARD UP AS THAT.”]

* * * * *

A CONSPIRACY IN THE POULTRY-YARD.

DEAR MR. PUNCH,—­I suppose it must be conceded that practical jokes have not the vogue that they once enjoyed.  No longer do you discover some fine morning that the street in which you live is blockaded with furniture vans, all endeavouring to deliver furniture you don’t require and never heard of before, while your staircase is a mass of flowers and fruit constantly increasing upon you and threatening to smother you with their amount no less than with their scent.  It would gradually appear that the deliveries both of the flowers and the furniture were being executed in accordance with the orders of one of your friends, and that you had to grin and bear it as best you might.  I cannot say that the victim or the general public, when they heard of it, looked upon it with any excess of enthusiasm.  Anyhow, practical jokes have gone out.

Yet there is a kind of practical joke which, so far as I know, has never been played upon anybody, and which, if it wore played, might