* * * * *

BUFFOON’S NATURAL HISTORY.

SIR EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, who, like Byron, (in this one instance only) “wanted a hero,” had the good fortune to lay his hands upon the history of the celebrated George Barrington of picking-pocket notoriety.  That worthy, describing the progress he made for the good of his country, related some strange particulars of a foreign bird, called the Secretary, or Snake-eater, which Sir Edward, from his knowledge of the natural history of his friend John Wilson Croker, declares to be the immediate connecting link between the English Admiralty Secretary, or “Toad-eater.”

* * * * *

“NOT EXACTLY.”

“Have you been much at sea?”

“Why no, not exactly; but my brother married an admiral’s daughter!”

“Were you ever abroad?”

“No, not exactly; but my mother’s maiden name was ‘French.’”

* * * * *

FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER.

[A letter has found its way into our box, which was evidently intended for the Parisian Courrier des Dames; but as the month is so far advanced, we are fearful that the communication will be too late for the purposes of that fashionable journal.  We have therefore with unparalleled liberality inserted it in PUNCH, and thus conferred an immortality on an ephemera!  It is worthy of remark that the writer adopts the style of our foreign fashionable correspondents, who invariably introduce as much English as French into their communications.]

Rue de Dyotte,

Derriere les Slommes a Saint Gilles.

MON JOVIAL ANCIEN COQ.

Les swelles de Londres have now determined upon the winter fashions, subject only to such modifications as their wardrobes render imperative, et y vont comme des Briques.  Butchers’ trays continue to be worn on the shoulders; and sprats may be found very generally upon the heads of the poissonnieres-faggeuses de la Porte de Billing.  Short pipes are much patronised by architects’ assistants, and are worn either in the hatband or the side of the mouth, et point d’erreur.  A few black eyes have been seen dans la Rookerie; but these facial ornaments will not be general until after boxing-day, quand ils le deviendront bien forts.  Highlows and anklejacks[6] are still patronised by les imaginaires[7] of both sexes, the only alteration in the fashion being that the highlow is cut a little more on the instep, and the anklejack has retrograded a trifle towards the heel, with those qui veulent le couper gras.  A great many muslin caps are seen, frequently with a hole in the crown, through which the hair protrudes, and gives a tres epiceux et soufflet-haut appearance.  They are called les Capoles des Sept-Dialles.