....  A reduction is promised in the price of tobacco shortly.  An ounce recently changed hands at a well-known Piccadilly shop at two hundred and seven pounds, but the new season’s prices are not expected to be much above one hundred and fifty pounds.

A man was charged at Bow Street yesterday with endeavouring to ride in a motor-bus on Tuesday, the 12th of the month, when his permit was only for Thursday, the 15th of each month.  He was severely cautioned and ordered to get a new calendar.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  BEFORE THE COMBAT.

Excited Duellist. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Nervous Opponent. “I’M PUTTING MAGIC DROPS ON MY SWORD, WHICH WILL MAKE IT IRRESISTIBLE.”

Excited Duellist. “BUT THAT’S NOT FAIR TO ME.”

Nervous Opponent (relieved). “ALL RIGHT, YOU CAN HAVE SOME AND WE’LL CALL IT A DRAW.”]

* * * * *

A VALENTINE.

  Dear Lydia, long before your time,
      When I was half the ’teen you own to,
  Don Valentine was in his prime,
      The world not yet the thing it’s grown to. 
  The postman then with double knocks
      This morning many a heart was thrilling,
  And brought a shining cardboard box
      With round red hearts in paper frilling.

  A simpler world, and well content
      With what seems small by modern measure;
  And winters came and roses went,
      Yet Time dulls pain as well as pleasure. 
  Though, with this fashion out of date,
      His hand to-day weighs almost lightly
  If this my war-time chocolate
      Makes two dark eyes to shine more brightly.

* * * * *

HINTS FOR THE GARDEN.

To those who are about to re-establish their herbaceous borders it will come as a welcome surprise that restrictions as to the sale of the following foodstuffs by nurserymen have now been withdrawn:—­

Stucky’s Germania (Lamb’s Ear).

Scolopendrium (Hart’s Tongue).

No coupons will be required for these in future.

Fatsia Horrida.—­This is no longer grown by nurserymen, but can be obtained at any butcher’s, large quantities having recently arrived from Greece.  Smith minor, possibly a prejudiced witness, says he gets it at school; that it is beastly and only another name for Cod Liver Oil.

Sambucus (the Elder).—­A correspondent inquires if anything is known of the younger branch of this family.  On being appealed to the Secretary of the Linnaean Society sent the following somewhat enigmatic telegram:  “Recommend CLEMENCEAU non-Papa, who may know something of Uncle Sam.”

Hydrangea.—­This hardy shrub is so called as it was originally raised by the Ranger of Hyde Park.  The American variety “radiata” succeeds well indoors if grown on hot-water pipes.