I hear that Mr. LEONARD BOYNE has received a “licence to ride” from the Jockey Club, and that his ambition is to ride the winner of the “Grand National”—­to which end he has started “schooling” a well-known chaser over the private training-ground in Drury Lane, belonging to Sir AUGUSTUS HARRIS—­if he hopes to escape observation by training at night, I fear his design will be frustrated, as, on the evening, I went to witness this “new departure” in training, I found most of the London racing-touts present, with the inevitable field-glasses!

Next week sees us once more at our beloved Newmarket First October—­(this is a Jockey-Club joke, as the meeting always takes place in September!  But what does a little paradox of this kind matter to such an August body!)—­and I shall append my selection for the most important race of Wednesday, but I also wish to give a hint to the “Worldly Wise” not to miss the October Handicap, or the match, for which Buccaneer will be favourite at the “fall of the flag!”—­(The flag may fall, but such a Buccaneer as this is will never “strike his flag” I feel sure!) Being absolutely overloaded with prophecy, I must also have a word to say on the Rutland Plate, which aristocratically-named race could only be won by the aristocratically-named Buckingham!—­Yours devotedly, LADY GAY.

GREAT-EASTERN RAILWAY HANDICAP SELECTION:—­

  Though good his chance to win the prize,
    “Lord HENRY” soon detected,
  That greatest danger would arise,
    From Colonel NORTH’s “Selected.”

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[Illustration:  “THE PERI AT THE ACADEMY GATES.”

“On July 4th, Lieutenant PEARY, in his great sledge journey, commenced on May 15th last, in Greenland, came on a glacier which he named The Academy Glacier.”—­Times.]

* * * * *

SWORD AND PEN.

A FABLE.

(TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSO-FRENCH.)

Pen was a busy personage.  He was flying from place to place, and had much importance.  He was pompous and mysterious, and puzzled many people.  Pen was accompanied by a sheet of paper that he called Treaty.  Pen took Treaty everywhere.  To Russia, to France, to Rome, and to Turkey.  No one knew exactly what Treaty was like.  Pen said he was satisfied with Treaty, and as Pen and Treaty were such constant companions, Pen’s word on the subject was accepted as authentic.

But one fine day there was a breeze, and Treaty was blown away by the wind.

“Can I not assist?” asked Pen.  “Things seem to have gone wrong.”

“No, thanks,” replied Sword, grimly; “when it comes to close quarters, we find ink not quite so useful as gunpowder!”

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SUGGESTION FOR AN OUTSIDE ADVERTISEMENT TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE DOOR OF THE STRAND THEATER.—­“Niobe all tiers” (full).