Only, by the way, if this were universal, and if everyone is to win, who is to lose?  Thus Planchette would put an end to nearly all speculation.  Planchette would inaugurate a new era of complete and unqualified success.  No doubt Mr. CHARLES WYNDHAM consulted Planchette before producing The Fringe of Society, and is in consequence being amply rewarded for placing his trust in Planchette.  Failure would be impossible except to the obstinate few who should persistently refuse to pin their faith on the utterances of “Planchette.”  But, suppose after doing enough to establish her reputation, “Planchette,” being feminine and therefore “varium et mutabile semper,” should suddenly deceive her followers, as did Zamiel’s seventh charmed bullet (which ought always to have been kept up Caspar’s sleeve—­but Caspar was an idiot), and the Weird but Larky Sisters who captivated Macbeth?

“Trust her not, she’s fooling thee, Beware!  Beware!” and Planchette, the little plank, will make more of her followers “plank down” than pick up gold and silver.

* * * * *

“DEAREST CHUCK!”—­SHAKSPEARE.

“Mr. G.” (to the Ardent Female Supporter, henceforth to be historically known as “The Gingerbread-nut-Chucker"):—­

  ’Twas all very well to dissemble your love,
  But why chuck the nut in my eye?

    [Mr. G. is aware that the Divine WILLIAMS has spoken of
    ginger as “hot in the mouth,” but Mr. G. says “he got it
    uncommonly hot in the eye."]

* * * * *

“THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL.”—­Lord RANDOLPH in again for South Paddington.  The First to arrive.

* * * * *

NOTICE.—­Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no ease be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper.  To this rule there will be no exception.