We understand, however, that this enthusiasm for the prohibition of audiences has not yet extended to the theatrical profession.

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[Illustration:  SPORTING DAYS WITH THE FOOD-PRODUCER’S STAFF.]

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THE FOOD QUESTION.

RATIONING AT THE ZOO.

“In the Northern area,” says a despatch from Mr. POCOCK, “a, period of inactivity has set in which is partly due to the fact that the dromedary has been placed on a vegetarian diet.  There has been a cold snap in the crocodile house.  Three of our keepers have disappeared.”

An attempt to substitute salsify for bloaters in the dietary of the sea-lion was not successful.

Complaints have been received from the elephant-house to the effect that buns sold for the benefit of the occupants have not reached their destination.  Should this abuse continue it will be necessary to make arrangements to have every child under the age of twelve submitted to an X-ray examination before leaving the Gardens.

The use of human food for the nourishment of animals is, however, being discouraged; and for the future guinea-pigs and broken glass will be the staple diet of boa-constrictors and ostriches respectively.  Peppermint-balls for grizzly bears are to be discontinued; also egg-nogg for anthropoid apes.

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[Illustration:  Alice (saying her prayers, after a quarrel with her sister).  “AND, PLEASE GOD, BLESS BETTY.”

Betty. “DON’T YOU DARE TO PRAY FOR ME!”]

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HINTS TO YOUNG FOOD-PRODUCERS.

Jugged Hare.—­A well-known firm of hare-raisers in Carmelite Street informs us that young rabbits fed on sponge-cake soaked in port wine have a flavour which renders them indistinguishable from hare.

Celeriac.—–­This appetising vegetable has been little cultivated owing to a general but erroneous belief that it was the name of a new kind of motor-car.  “Celeriac” is of course a compound of the word “celery” and the Arabic suffix “ac,” which means “bearing a resemblance to” or “a small imitation of.”  Thus it would be correct for the writer to speak of the salariac he earns by writing this sort of thing.

[Note.—­“Earns” would not be correct.—­ED.]

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NAVIGATION EXTRAORDINARY.

    “Although the stern and screws of the vessel were well out of the water
    she was able to make the port under her own steam.”—­Daily Mail.

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    “Portatoes in the usual forms have disappeared this week.—­LORNA.”—­
    British Weekly.

These must be the Devonportatoes of which we have heard so much.

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