into flower,
    Amaze him with their beauty, and the sour
  Sharp voice of Care, that sounds far off and shrill,
    Moves him to gentle mirth that men can be
  So strangely foolish as to heed her call,
    Regardless of their true felicity.... 
  Avoid the place, ye bores.  Aroint ye all! 
  Afflict not one to this dear haven fled,
  My private earthly paradise—­my BED.

* * * * *

    “Quarrymen (experienced) Wanted, wages 1s. 5-1/2d. per
    hour; constant employment for good men.  No bankers need
    apply.”—­Country Paper.

Why this marked discrimination against bankers?  We have known several who were most respectable.

* * * * *

THE RENAISSANCE.

The unexampled rapidity with which, owing to the opportunities of war-time, men in all walks of life have reached the top of the tree in early manhood is leading on to strange but inevitable results.  Unable to rise any higher they are already contemplating the heroic course of justifying their eminence by starting afresh at the bottom of the ladder.

The crucial and classical example is, of course, furnished by our Boy Chancellor.  It is an open secret that, with that sagacious foresight which has always characterised him, Lord BIRKENHEAD recognises the impermanency of his exalted position and is resolved when and if he leaves the Woolsack to resume practice as a Junior.  It is further rumoured that some of our judges intend to follow his august example.  The atmosphere of the Bench is not always exhilarating, and the salary is fixed.  But a self-effacing altruism doubtless also enters into their motives.

The impending exodus from Whitehall is another factor in the situation.  Scores of demobilised “Ministerial angels” will soon be released, and are meditating fresh outlets for their benevolent energies.  Many of them are young and some beautiful.  The romance of commerce and of the stage will prove a potent lure.  Never has the demand for an elegant deportment and urbane manners in our great shops and stores been more clamant; never has the standard been higher.  Our ex-officials may have to stoop, but it will be to conquer.  We can confidently look forward to the day when no shop will be without its DEMOSTHENES, ALCIBIADES or its CICERO.  Opportunities for employment on the stage are likely to be multiplied by the alleged intention of several actor-managers to enter Parliament, while others, nobly anxious to satisfy the claims of youth, have expressed their resolve only to appear henceforth in such subsidiary parts as dead bodies and outside shouts.