MORE BONES TO PICK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.

We see there has been some churlish cavilling in some quarters because the School Management Committee of the London School Board passed a requisition in November last, sanctioning the purchase of an articulated skeleton for the Belleville Road School, at the very reasonable sum of L8 16s.  Why make any bones about the matter?  What more ornamental and indeed indispensable article of school-furniture than a human skeleton nearly six foot high?  Still, should the past system of expenditure be continued in the future, Mr. Punch would suggest that excellent and infinitely cheaper substitutes for skeletons will be found in the persons of the rate-payers themselves.

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CUPID’S TENNIS-COURTS.—­Under the heading “Tennis in the Riviera,” the Daily Telegraph recently gave us some important news, which should largely influence the Matrimonial Market.  The names of Ladies and Gentlemen, both “singles” (a not strictly grammatical plural, by the way, but what’s grammar in a game of Thirty to Love?) were given.  There was, however, no mention of “ties” or of matches to come.

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A CORRESPONDENT SIGNING HIMSELF “MINCING LANE” WRITES,—­“Sir,—­The Saturday Review complained of Mr. TREE’s gait as Hamlet, ‘which,’ said the Critic, ‘reminds one too much of AGAG.’  Most cutting comparison for an actor sticking rigidly to the Shakspearian text!  If there were interpolations in the text of Mr. BEERBOHM TREE’s own introduction, then indeed he might remind them of A-gag; that is, if he were continually a-gagging.—­M.L.”

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NEW BOOK.—­Soon may be expected, A Guide to the Unknown Tongs, by the Author of A Handbook to Poker.

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[Illustration:  THE PARLIAMENTARY SAFETY BICYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP—­THE LAST LAP.]

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[Illustration:  FICTION—­PRESENT STYLE.

Gertrude. “YOU NEVER DO ANYTHING NOW, MARGARET, BUT GO TO ALL SORTS OF CHURCHES, AND READ THOSE OLD BOOKS OF THEOLOGY.  YOU NEVER USED TO BE LIKE THAT.”

Margaret. “HOW CAN I HELP IT, GERTY?—­I’M WRITING A POPULAR NOVEL!”]

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TAKE CARE!

A SONG OF CONVALESCENCE AFTER INFLUENZA.

BY AN IMPATIENT PATIENT.

AIR—­“Beware!”

“I feel as well as well can be!”—­
Take care!
La Grippe’s deceptive dontcher see,
Beware!  Beware! 
Trust it not,
’Twill be fooling thee;

It’s just three weeks since I was “down!”—­
Take care!
“I’m wanted very much in town.” 
Beware!  Beware! 
Run no risk,
’Tis humbugging thee!

“I feel all right,—­as well as you!”—­
Take care!
What feeling tells you is not true! 
Beware!  Beware! 
Pneumonia waits
To be nipping thee!