Mr. Midgelly (as he rejoins his Wife).  I felt the influence more strongly to-night than what I have yet; and the Professor says, if I only keep on coming up every night while he’s here, I shall soon be completely susceptible to—­Why, whatever’s the matter, my dear?

Mrs. M. Matter!  You’re quite susceptible enough as it is; and, now I know how you can go on, you don’t catch me letting you get ’ipnotised again.  You and your young lady in green indeed!

Mr. M. (utterly mystified).  Me and my—­I don’t know what you’re alluding to.  It’s the first I’ve heard of it!

Mrs. M. (grimly).  Well, it won’t be the last by a long way.  Oh, the insight I’ve had into your character this evening, MIDGELLY!

    [Mr. M. is taken home, to realise that Hypnotism is not
    altogether without its dangers.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  THUNDERS FROM SNOWDON.

“Nothing could have served my purpose better, than to have drawn this illuminating flash out of the thunders,” &c., &c.—­Vide Duke of Argyll’s Letter to The Times, and his Letter to Somebody who had drawn his Grace’s attention to Mr. Gladstone’s Snowdon Speech.

* * * * *

MEM.  FROM WHITBREADFORDSHIRE.—­Sir BLUNDELL MAPLE is reported to have said, “I’ll give you a good tip.  Back Duke—­and my horses for the Cambridgeshire.”  New Carpet Knight not successful as a sporting tipster, seeing that Colonel DUKE, though he fought well, was beaten.  Perhaps Sir BLUNDELL meant the Duke, who races every night at Drury Lane.  That’s a very good tip, as safe as houses—­Drury Lane houses, of course.

* * * * *

A CITY PARADOX.

  Our City Aldermanic lights
    Who talk (and live) a trifle high,
  In stern defence of civic rights
    Profess themselves prepared to die. 
  And yet the Aldermanic crowd—­
    It’s amply true, say what you will—­
  With open eyes have just allowed
    The Mayoralty to come to KNILL!

* * * * *

“HABITUAL DRUNKARDS COMMITTEE.”—­An awful-looking heading to a paragraph!  What a picture the imagination may conjure up of a Committee of Habitual Drunkards!  There would be the Honble.  TOM TOPER, Lord SOTT, SAM SOKER, Marquis of MOPPS and BROOMS, Captain FUDDLE, DICK SWIZZLER, R.N., FRANK FARGONE (of the Daily Booze), with TITE ASA DRUMM in the Chair, or if not, under the table with the others.

* * * * *

CONVERSATIONAL HINTS FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS.

(BY MR. PUNCH’S OWN GROUSE IN THE GUN-ROOM.)