(According to Fancy Sketch by “Observer” in the “Times.”) “O where and O where is our Harcourt Laddie gone?"]

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PADDYWHACK AND DR. BIRCH.—­Everyone knows what “the Assisted Education (Ireland) Bill” is.  Why should not an Assisted Education (England) Bill be brought in to enable public school-boys to secure, without payment of any additional fee beyond that included for “swishing” in the Bill sent home to the parents, the specimen of the legal instrument with which their education may have been most helpfully assisted?

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“BECKY THE SECOND.”—­Those comparatively few who answered our query as to where “the good Becky, the very opposite of Becky in Vanity Fair, was to be found in THACKERAY’s works,” and have referred us to A Shabby Genteel Story, are right.  The many who hit upon Rebecca in the burlesque of Ivanhoe mistook the question.

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A CORRESPONDENT, signing himself “IGNORAMUS,” writes to inquire “The address of a Society called ‘The London French Polishers.’” He says, “I want my French polished up a bit before going to Paris.”

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“VIVE LA LIBERTE!”

The Era at one time used to enjoy a monopoly of strangely, but purely professionally-worded advertisements; but now the Daily Telegraph is creeping up and commencing to occupy the Era’s special domain.  One day last week in the D.T. the following notice appeared:—­“Mr. CHARLES SUGDEN at liberty.—­Address, &c.”  “At Liberty!” How will this sound to the uninitiated millions?  Taking for granted that the readers, whose name is Legion, know perfectly well who and what Mr. CHARLES SUGDEN is, having a lively recollection of this talented actor as among the best representatives of bad characters (excepting perhaps that of William of Orange, which was Mr. SUGDEN’s chef d’oeuvre, and about whose character there are strong differences of opinion), will they not unnaturally be led to inquire how, why, when and wherefore Mr. SUGDEN ever came to be deprived of his liberty, and under what circumstances he has been restored to it, or it to him?  “At Liberty!” It has a grand and glorious sound!  This distinguished Thespian was never an “hereditary bondsman,” then why not always “at liberty”?  But, be this as it may, once more “the Rover is free!” SUGDEN is a name honourable behind and before the foot-lights.  In the Courts of Law it is a Legal Light, and among Gas Companies the Sugden Burner is, we believe, justly famous.  Whatever the announcement may or may not mean, all sons of Liberty will rejoice that this eccentric comedian is once more free, and on the stage he will be again most welcome.

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“Are you staying in town?” “No,” answered Mrs. R.; “I’m going au contraire.”  Which, she subsequently explained, was French for going into the country.