“Simplex munditiis,” as HORACE wrote, And yet, poor lad, he’ll find that he is rash; To-morrow you’ll adorn some other boat, And smile as kindly on another “mash.”

  As for myself—­I’m old, and look askance
  At flannels and flirtation; not for me
  Youth’s idiotic rapture at a glance
  From maiden eyes:  although it comes from thee.

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IN THE KNOW.

(By Mr. Punch’s Own Prophet.)

I am a modest man, as well as an honest one.  Censure cannot move me by one hair’s breadth from the narrow path of rectitude; praise cannot unduly puff me up.  Had I been other than I am, this last week would have gone fatally near to ruining that timid and shrinking diffidence which (I say it without egotism) marks me off from the poisonous, pestilential, hydrocephalous, putty-faced, suet-brained reptiles who disgrace the profession to which I belong.  All I wish now to do is to point out that I am the only prophet who indicated, without any beating about the bush, that Marvel would win the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.  My admirers have recognised the fact, and my private residence has been choked by an avalanche of congratulatory despatches, including two or three from some of the highest in the land.  H.S.H., the Grand Duke of PFEIFENTOPF says:—­“You have me with your writings much refreshed.  I have the whole revenues of the Grand Duchy against one thousand flaschen of lager bier gebetted, and I have won him on your noble advice on Marvel.  I make you Commander of the Honigthau Order.”  I merely cite this to show that my appreciators are not to one country confined—­I mean, confined to one country.

[Illustration]

What did I say last week, in speaking of the Stewards’ Cup horses?  By the well-known grammatical figure known as the hysteroproteron, I mentioned Marvel last, intending, of course, as even a buffalo-headed Bedlamite might have seen, that he should be first.  And he was first.  But to make assurance doubly sure, and to bring prophecy down to the intellectual level of a bat, I added, in speaking of the winner, that he “would certainly be a Marvel.”  I say no more.  As the great Cardinal once observed to his chief of police, “Je te verrai souffle d’abord," so I reply to those who wish me to reveal the secret of my success.  Mr. J. knows it not, and no single member of the imbecile, anserous, asinine, cow-hocked, spavin-brained, venomous, hugger-mugger purveyors of puddling balderdash who follow him has the least conception of my glorious system.  But I am willing to teach, though I have nothing to learn.  For six halfpenny stamps those who desire to know, shall receive my pamphlet on “Book-making.”  Every applicant must send his photograph with his application, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

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