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THE NORMANDIE “NO GO.”

The figure, stuffed with shavings, of a French grenadier, constructed by the Duke of Normandie, and exhibited by him recently at Woolwich, which he stated would explode if fired at by bullets of his own construction, possitively objected to being blown up in such a ridiculous manner; and though several balls were discharged at the man of shavings, he showed no disposition to move.  The Duke waxed exceedingly wroth at the coolness of his soldier, and swore, if he had been a true Frenchman, he would have gone off at the first fire.

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A CONUNDRUM BY COL.  SIBTHORP.

“What’s the difference between the top of a mountain and a person afflicted with any disorder?”—­“One’s a summit of a hill, and the other’s ill of a summut.”

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A CLASSICAL INSCRIPTION FOR A CIGAR CASE.

[Greek:  To bakchikhon doraema labe, se gar philo.].—­EURIPIDES.

FREE TRANSLATION.

“Accept this gift of To-Baccha—­cigar fellow.”

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FASHIONS FOR THE PRESENT WEEK.

Though the dog-days have not yet commenced, muzzlin is very general, and a new sort of shally, called shilly-shally, is getting remarkably prevalent. Shots are still considered the greatest hits, for those who are anxious to make a good impression; flounces are out in the morning, and tucks in at dinner-parties, the latter being excessively full, and much sought after.  At conversaziones, puffs are very usual, and sleeves are not so tight as before, to allow of their being laughed in; jewels are not now to be met with in the head, which is left au naturel—­that is to say, as vacant as possible.

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“Why is the Gazette like a Frenchman’s letter?”—­“Because it is full of broken English.”

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BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

In the strangers’ gallery in the American house of representatives, the following notice is posted up:—­“Gentlemen will be pleased not to place their feet on the boards in front of the gallery, as the dirt from them falls down on the senators’ heads.”  In our English House of Commons, this pleasant penchant for dirt-throwing is practised by the members instead of the strangers.  It is quite amusing to see with what energy O’Connell and Lord Stanley are wont to bespatter and heap dirt on each other’s heads in their legislative squabbles!