“On this day, so great and glorious for our France, it is not possible to refrain from tears of joy and satisfaction.  We have made him Rosier en perpetuite de Blancheville, him the proudest and most sympathetic writer who has dazzled Europe since the great and illustrious PLUMEAU” (a local author of repute) “departed from us.  The history of this day must be written.  Let us essay to do it as it should be done.  In the early morning twelve selected maidens, robed in muslin and lilies, sang the Tocsin de la Patrie outside the Palace where our guest reposed.  Soon afterwards he himself appeared in flowing white garments, and showered blessings upon their heads.  He descended.  He entered the four-in-hand-teams which the Maire had, as a compliment to England, made up with a char-a-banc of the neighbourhood.  Thus he was drawn to the Market Place, where some of our bravest veterans fired in his honour a thundering salute.  The beautiful and admirable Madame CARAMEL then advanced to him with a wreath of roses in her hand.  She crowned him with it, saying, ’Wear this for Blancheville.  Nobly hast thou earned it.’  With difficulty the illustrious author preserved his calm.  A tear sparkled in his eye.  He bent low, and in a voice choked with emotion, thanked the citizens of our town.  Then mounting on a milk-white steed, and surrounded by the young men of the district, he received from the Prefet the Prix Montyon for virtue.”

The rest is too flattering.  I am hastening home.  The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to permit me to wear the Prix Montyon at Court.  Can a man want more?  Yours, in all humility,

LE ROSIER DE BLANCHEVILLE.

* * * * *

A PUFF AT WHITEHALL.

(A piece of extravagance faintly suggestive of a Scene from “The Critic.")

Lord GEORGE PUFF and Sir JOHN BULL discovered attending a rehearsal of the Naval Estimates.

Lord George. And now I pray your particular attention, Sir JOHN, as this is the best thing in my play—­it is a spectacular effect called the Summer Manoeuvres.

Sir John. And no doubt costly, Lord GEORGE?

Lord George. You are right, Sir JOHN, as you will have an opportunity of finding out—­hereafter.  But to the argument.  It is supposed that the British Fleet is at war with, indeed, the British Fleet.

Sir John. A very clever idea.

Lord George. I flatter myself it is, and novel too.  It is true that occasionally the ships comprising the British Fleet have run into one another in the past just as if they had been at war, but then they were avowedly at peace, and now they are undoubtedly the reverse.  Do you take my meaning?

Sir John. Well, not clearly.  How do you show that the British Fleet is at war with the British Fleet?

Lord George. Ah, there comes in my art, and I think you will confess I have a very pretty wit.  You see I divide the British Fleet into two parts—­one part represents the enemy and the other part represents itself like the House of Commons, a most representative body.  That is clear, I hope?