ATTA TROLL (HEINE tells us) “danced nobly.”  Pride swells us
    To think our young guest is a true ATTA TROLL;
  No Bugbear, though shaggy, a trifle breech-baggy,
    And not altogether a dandyish doll;
  No Afghan intrigue, dear, or shy Native league, dear,
    Has brought Bruin’s foot o’er our frontier to dance: 
  He comes freely, boldly—­don’t look on him coldly,
    Or make him suspect there is fear in your glance.

  Be sure that the Lion will still keep his eye on
    All Bears and their dens, in the Tiger’s behalf;
  Meanwhile Ursa Minor eschews base design, or
    Intrigue against you, dear.  Lift eyes, love, and laugh! 
  I’ll answer for Bruin, he shall not take you in—­
    The Bear’s bona fides nobody impugns;
  He asks a kind glance, and your hand in a dance; and
    He’ll dance “to the very genteelest of tunes"!]

* * * * *

THE UP-TO-DATE CONVERSATIONIST.

He (at the end of a turn).  I see there’s been a row in Chili—­what do you think about it?

She.  I don’t know the place—­isn’t it somewhere in America?

He.  I shouldn’t be surprised if it were, but my geography’s shaky.  I rather fancy it’s somehow connected with pickles.

She.  Oh, then it’s a mistake their quarrelling, as I suppose it will be hard upon the poor, especially during the winter?

He.  Fancy that’s the idea.  Been to the Guelph Exhibition?

She.  Yes, and I think it’s a pity they took the jewels out of GEORGE THE FOURTH’s Crown.  I should like to have seen the Koh-i-Noor.

He.  But they wanted them for the one at the Tower, don’t you know, and as for the Koh-i-Noor, was that invented in his time?

She.  Perhaps it wasn’t.  Stay, wasn’t it discovered by Captain COOK, or DRAKE, or somebody?

He.  I daresay.  I have never looked the matter up. A propos, One-pound Bank-notes are to be issued.

She.  Are they?  I suppose they will be useful for change?

He.  Shouldn’t be astonished, but don’t pretend to know anything about it.  By the way, do you take much interest in the subjects we have been discussing?

She.  Not the faintest.

He.  No more do I! [Waltz continued.

* * * * *

DEARNESS AND DEARTH.

“Spanish onions are rising in price, though probably only temporarily.”—­Daily News.

I.

    Will it be long, then—­long? 
      For the people watch and wait,
    Till the strength of the onion makes them strong,
      At only the normal rate. 
    And their eyes are dim with tears,
      And ache with the need of sleep. 
    And watch till the lapse of the lapsing years
      Shall make the onions cheap. 
  Cheap, my love, cheap!  Sleep, my love, sleep! 
  Onions are dear, love, but sentiment’s cheap!