considered the result of this case as “good business” from his own private and peculiar point of view.  But all Dramatic Authors,—­with the solitary exception of Mr. Yardley, formerly famous in the field, but now better known in “The Lane,” at pantomime time, than to any Court where he has a legal right to appear in wig and gown,—­from the smallest, who write to please a “Governor,” up to the biggest, who write to please themselves, should rejoice at the decision in the case of Jones v. Roberts.

* * * * *

An omission at the Guildhall luncheon.—­On the occasion of the Civic Banquet to the German Emperor, an Alderman, distinguished for his courtesy to strangers, and his appreciation of good dishes, especially of anything at all spicy, wished to know why, as a compliment to their Imperial guest, they had omitted “pickelhaubes” from the bill of fare?  He had understood, from well-informed friends, that the Emperor seldom went anywhere without some “pickelhaubes,” whatever they might be, as he himself, the worthy Alderman, had never had the opportunity of tasting one.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  The Red Queen and the white; or, Alice in Thunderland.]

* * * * *

Jolly July.

The storm of rain comes swirling down,
Our helpless flow’rets droop and die;
The thunder crashes o’er the town—­
In wet July.

Our cricket-match is spoilt, the stumps
We draw beneath a drenching sky;
Then homeward wend in doleful dumps—­
In wet July.

The lawn’s a lake, whereon there float
The balls that erst would o’er it fly;
We can’t play tennis from a boat,
In wet July.

Our garden-party’s ruined quite,
Of invitations friends fight shy;
They wisely shun the sloppy sight
In wet July.

Take that old aneroid away,
A new barometer we’ll try;
With hope for haply one fine day—­
In wet July.

* * * * *

Beating the Record.—­Mrs. MALAPROP’s “Cerberus, as three single gentlemen rolled into one,” was “not in it” last week with H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, who, in the course of the Royal Entertainments given to our Imperial Cousin-German, appeared as “a host of illustrious personages.”  An admirable performance.

* * * * *

A Nursery Echo from Carlow.

  Parnell put the Kettle on,
    Tim Healy came it rather strong,
  Hammond was the people’s man,
          And he’s now M.P.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  In desperate Straits.