I had almost forgotten the ladies.  There were three, Miss FFYTCHE, Mrs. CHARLES SIM, and Miss DOWSON, and they were all good—­especially Mrs. SIM as Constance.

And so farewell, for the present, to the O.U.D.S. and to Oxford.  I may mention, by the way, that hospitality is as extensive and port wine as abundant as ever in the neighbourhood of the High. Experto crede. Yours to a turn, A VAGRANT.

* * * * *

A SOUTH-AFRICAN SENTIMENT.

(SEE PAPERS PASSIM.)

  The Colossus of Rhodes as a marvel they toss us;
  To which we retort, our RHODES is a Colossus!

* * * * *

A READY-MADE MILITARY CHAPLAIN.—­“The Rev. the Dean of Battle.”  Evidently of the Church militant.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  ALL-ROUND POLITICIANS.  NO. 1.—­THE G.O.M.  VARIETY ENTERTAINER.]

* * * * *

THE PINK OF COURTESY, AND A TRUE BLUE.

Last week a Cambridge Graduate, a Layman, not a Reverend Don, kindly coached the Oxford Eight.  The great Duke of WELLINGTON, courteously instructing the French Army how to defeat the English, would be an historical parallel.  It is to be hoped that this sublime example of unselfish devotion to aquatic sport will be followed in other walks of life.  We may expect to learn from the daily papers how,—­

On Monday a Cabinet Council was held at Downing Street.  Lord SALISBURY presided, and Mr. W.H.  SMITH being indisposed, Mr. W.E.  GLADSTONE (at a moment’s notice) kindly consented to take his place.

On Tuesday General CAPRIVI went on leave, his place as confidential adviser to the Emperor of GERMANY being supplied during his absence by Prince Von BISMARCK.

The Czar of RUSSIA, wishing to take a short holiday in Denmark, has arranged that his place shall be supplied by Prince ALEXANDER, once of Battenberg, and late of Bulgaria.  Before his return to St. Petersburg His Majesty is likely to spend some time as the guest of several leading Nihilists.

On Wednesday President CARNOT paid a long visit to General BOULANGER, with a view to submitting to that eminent statesman a scheme for the reorganisation of the French Army.

On Thursday the King of ITALY, having arranged to accompany Signor CRISPI in a yachting cruise to South America, the POPE took up his residence at the Quirinal, and presided at a National Council.  Later in the day his Holiness reviewed the Roman garrison.

On Friday Mr. O’BRIEN gave a numerously attended “at home” in his new prison.  Amongst those present were Mr. GLADSTONE, Lord SALISBURY, Mr. PARNELL, Mr. MCCARTHY, and Mr. TIM HEALY.  It is understood that the result of this amicable meeting will be found in a spirit of reciprocity exhibited in the anti-Parnellites writing Mr. PARNELL’s manifestoes for the Parnellites, and vice versa.