HIS FUTURE WIFE
[Sidenote:  Disraeli to his Sister (1832)]

The soiree last night at Bulwer’s was really brilliant, much more so than the first.  There were a great many dames of distinction, and no blues.  I should, perhaps, except Sappho, who was quite changed; she had thrown off Greco-Bromptonian costume and was perfectly a la Francaise and really looked pretty.  At the end of the evening I addressed a few words to her, of the value of which she seemed sensible.  I was introduced, “by particular desire,” to Mrs. Wyndham Lewis, a pretty little woman, a flirt and a rattle; indeed, gifted with a volubility I should think unequalled, and of which I can convey no idea.  She told me that she liked “silent, melancholy men.”  I answered that “I had no doubt of it.”

KNOWSLEY OR THE PARTHENON
[Sidenote:  Disraeli to Mrs. Brydges Willyams (1862)]

They say the Greeks, resolved to have an English King, in consequence of the refusal of Prince Alfred to be their monarch, intend to elect Lord Stanley.  If he accepts the charge, I shall lose a powerful friend and colleague.  It is a dazzling adventure for the House of Stanley, but they are not an imaginative race, and I fancy they will prefer Knowsley to the Parthenon, and Lancashire to the Attic plains.  It is a privilege to live in this age of rapid and brilliant events.  What an error to consider it a utilitarian age!  It is one of infinite romance.  Thrones tumble down, and crowns are offered like a fairy tale; and the most powerful people in the world, male and female, a few years ago were adventurers, exiles, and demireps.

JENNY KISSED ME
[Sidenote:  Leigh Hunt]

  Jenny kissed me when we met,
    Jumping from the chair she sat in;
  Time, you thief, who love to get
    Sweets into your list, put that in: 
  Say I’m weary, say I’m sad,
    Say that health and wealth have missed me,
  Say I’m growing old, but add,
    Jenny kissed me.

A WAR MEDLEY

THE WAR, WEEK BY WEEK
[Sidenote:  Walter Emanuel in “Punch"]

August 12-October 7

The foresight of the British Public in refusing to subscribe the large amount of money asked of them for the Olympic Sports in Berlin is now apparent.

* * * * *

Wilhelm II is said to be extremely annoyed in his capacity as a British Admiral that he is not being kept fully informed as to the movements of our Fleet.

* * * * *

The coming generation would certainly seem to be all right.  Even children are taking part in the fray.  The Boy Scouts are helping manfully here, and at Liege the Germans, we are told, used nippers for cutting wire entanglements.

* * * * *

The London Museum is open again.  The Curator, we understand, would be glad to add to his collection of curiosities any Londoner who is still in favour of a small Navy.