pretty!  She was wearing her ordinary clothes; not the workhouse, nor the ones with the blood on them, but some that had been sent in to her since the inquest.  I tried your opera-glasses.  They are simply capital, darling!  We were much amused with his evidence; and it was really excellent fun to listen to the howls of the crowd outside!  But I am not sure he cared for them!  We got away in excellent time, and I hope to go again.  I am trying very hard (should it come to anything) to be present at the last scene of all! Wouldn’t that be lovely?  I should have to be at the place, though, at ten minutes to eight o’clock! I don’t think I should go to bed that night at all! If I did, I am sure I should not sleep!  It would be so very, very interesting!  And now, my dearest, good-bye.  Your ever most affectionate friend,

LUCRETIA.

* * * * *

“MINE EASE AT MY CLUB.”—­In its most useful and instructive theatrical column last Sunday’s Observer (the only Observer of a Sunday in London!) inserted this notice:—­

    “Mr. H.A.  JONES is to read a paper at the Playgoers’ Club,
    Henrietta Street, Tuesday next.”

Why announce it?  Why not let the hard-worked HENRY AUTHOR JONES read his paper at his Club in peace and quietness?  Very hard on poor HENRY DRAMATIC AUTHOR JONES, if he can’t have a few minutes of peace (not “piece,” bien entendu) to himself.  Leave him alone to take his ease at his Club.

* * * * *

UNSATISFACTORY FOR LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.—­At a recent meeting of Anarchists at New Jersey some were arrested, but MOST escaped.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  A LAMENT FROM THE NORTH.

“AND THEN THE WEATHER’S BEEN SO BAD, DONALD!”

“OU AY, SIR.  ONLY THREE FINE DAYS—­AND TWA OF THEM SNAPPIT UP BY THE SAWBATH!”]

* * * * *

THE “LAIDLY WORM” OF LONDON;

Or, The Great Slum Dragon and Little Master County Council.

["The Worm (at first neglected) grew till it was too large for its habitation....  It became the terror of the country, and, among other enormities, levied a daily contribution ... in default of which it would devour both man and beast....  Young LAMBTON was extremely shocked at witnessing the effects of his youthful imprudence, and immediately undertook the adventure.”—­Legend of “The Lambton Worm,” as related by Surtees.]

  Old stories tell how Hercules
    At Lerna slew a “Dragon;”
  And the “Lambton Worm” (told by SURTEES)
    The Durham men still brag on. 
  How the “Laidly Worm” was made to squirm
  Old legends tell (they can’t lie!);
  And of MORE, of More-hall, when, “with nothing at all,”
    He slew the Dragon of Wantley.