If Miners and Mine-Owners pull together
    To raise the price of Coal—­well, it may suit
  Both them and you.  But, in this bitter weather,
    Your “Solidarity” brings us bitter fruit. 
  When our pinched fire dies down to its last ember,
    The picture of you “making holiday” thus
  Won’t warm our wives and kids.  Strike!—­but remember
    That what is “Play” to you means death to us!

* * * * *

A POSER FOR MR. WEATHERBY.—­Mrs. RAM is not in the least astonished at its being said that certain horses turn out “regular flyers,” because, she says, “she has often heard of mares’ nests.”

* * * * *

“MINER PREMISES.”—­In the Coal Districts.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  “A LITTLE HOLIDAY!!”

  WORKING-MAN AND } “AH!  IT’S ALL VERY WELL,—­BUT WHAT’S PLAY
  POOR CLERK. } TO YOU IS DEATH TO US.”

* * * * *

WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY IT?

In an interesting description (that appeared in the Times for Saturday, February 27) of the working of the “Jacquard Card-Preparing Machine,” which is, it appears, “a machine for superseding the human brain, eye, and hand”—­(so that soon all who can afford it will be fitted up with these machines, and keep their brains, eyes, and hands in reserve for very special occasions)—­it was stated that “the blank cards are automatically fed to the punches.”  That punches should be spelt without the capital P is of course a Printer’s error, deserving capital punishment. Mr. P. thinks it right to state in answer to numerous inquiries, that all his Punches speak by the card.  But as to even the smallest of the Punch family being “fed” on cards, or getting his or her living by cards, the statement is utterly at variance with the facts. Mr. P. is quite sure that the “Jacquard Automatic Reading and Punching Syndicate” will at once retract the injurious statement, or the youthful, vigorous and pugnacious Punches will be inquiring of Mr. P., as Sam Weller did of Mr. Pickwick when that gentleman’s great name was apparently taken in vain, “Ain’t nobody to be whopped for takin’ this here liberty?” that is, adapting the question to the present occasion, “Ain’t nobody’s head to be Punch’d for this mis-use of an ancient and honourable name?”

* * * * *

THE NAIL-MAKERS’ STRIKE.—­They refuse to work unless higher wages are paid “down on the nail.”

* * * * *

[Illustration:  A “HUNTING FIXTURE.”

HUNG UP ON A STILE, AND HOUNDS RUNNING LIKE MAD.]

* * * * *

CRIES WITHOUT WOOL.

NO.  II.—­THE GROWL OF THE BEAR.

(BY A SINGER IN “AIR.”)