* * * * *

CRICKETERS WHO OUGHT TO BE GOOD HANDS AT PLAYING A TIE.—­“The Eleven of Notts.”

* * * * *

UN-BROCKEN VOWS.

Walpurgis Brocken Night at Crystal Palace last Thursday—­Grand!  Jupiter Pluvius suspended buckets, and celestial water-works rested awhile to make way for Terrestrial Fire-works.  “Todgers’s can do it when it likes,” as all Martin-Chuzzlewiters know, and BROCK can do it too when he likes. A propos of DICKENS’ quotation above, it is on record that Mr. Pickwick was once addressed as “Old Fireworks.”  Where?  When? and How? Mr. Pickwick, we are led to infer by the commentary thereon, somewhat objected to the term, unless our Pickwickian memory fail us—­which is not improbable—­but Mr. BROCK would appropriate it to himself with pleasure, and be “‘proud o’ the title’ as the Living Skeleton said.”  Despite wind and weather, and contretemps generally, BROCK has never brocken faith with the public. “Facta non verba” is his motto:  and “Facta” means (here) Fire-works.

* * * * *

“GREAT BRITAIN AND THE GILBERT ISLANDS.”—­Captain DAVIS of H.M.  Screw Cruiser Royalist, on May 27, formally annexed “The Gilbert Islands.”  Where was SULLIVAN?  Or is it that Sir ARTHUR, having been annexed as a Knight, was unable to interfere?  Will D’OYLY CARTE explain?

* * * * *

THE MENAGERIE RACE.

SCENE—­The terrace in front of Hauberk Hall, which the LARKSPURS have taken for the Summer.  TIME—­An August afternoon.  Miss STELLA LARKSPUR—­a young lady with great energy and a talent for organisation—­has insisted upon all the Guests taking part in a Menagerie Race.

The Rev. Ninian Headnote, the Local Curate (to Mr. PLUMLEY DUFF—­after uneasily regarding Miss STELLA, as she shakes up some pieces of folded paper in a hat).  Can you give me any idea of the precise nature of this amusement—­er—­nothing resembling a gambling transaction, I suppose?—­or I really—­

Mr. Plumley Duff.  Well, I’m given to understand that we shall each be expected to take an animal of some sort, and drive it along with a string tied to its leg.  Sounds childish—­to me.

The Curate (relieved).  Oh, exactly, I see.  Most entertaining, I’m sure! (He coos.) What wonderful ingenuity one sees in devising ever-fresh pastimes, do we not?  Indeed, yes!

Miss Stella.  There, I’ve shuffled all the animals now. (Presenting the hat.) Mr. HEADNOTE, will you draw first?

The Curate.  Oh, really.  Am I to take one of these?  Charmed! (He draws.) Now I wonder what my fate—­(Opening the paper.) The Monkey! (His face falls.) Is there a Monkey here? Dear me, how very interesting!