September.—­Slight reaction.  Rejoinders begin to appear.

October.—­Unpleasantness on the increase.  Interviewing, letters to the papers, and sensational journalism generally.

November.—­Demonstration at the Lord Mayor’s Show.  Charges, counter-charges, and recrimination.  First-rate A1, go-as-you-please, strongly recommended row.

December.—­Fresh sensation (about a murder or a charitable scheme) and everything forgotten (if not forgiven) in time to observe a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

* * * * *

HOLIDAY TASKS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

Emperor of R-ss-a.—­To personally visit Siberia.

King of It-ly.—­To come to terms with the Vatican.

Emperor of G-rm-ny.—­To stay at home.

King of P-rtug-l.—­To accept the situation in Africa.

President C-rn-t.—­To forget the existence of Egypt.

King of Sp-n.—­To master the difficulties of the Alphabet.

Emperor of A-str-a.—­Between Kingdom and Empire, to make both ends meet.

Lord S-l-sb-ry.—­To prepare for the General Election.

Mr. Gl-dst-ne.—­To explain Home Rule.

Lord R. Ch-rch-ll.—­To give up racing in favour of politics.

Mr. H.M.  St-nl-y.—­To re-write Darkest Africa.

General B-th.—­To publish a balance-sheet that will please all.

Mr. Sheriff A-g-st-s H-rr-s.—­To attend to his professional duties, and get through his official work.

And Mr. P-nch.—­To bear as gaily as ever the weight of half a century.

* * * * *

SUGGESTION FOB MR. W.B.  AT THE T.R.O.—­Should Mr. WILSON BARRETT contemplate giving another Matinee of that out-of-date play, The Lady of Lyons, why not change its title to The Old Lady of Lyons?  No extra charge for this suggestion.

* * * * *

GENUINE ORANGE BITTERS.—­Police Protection to TIM HEALY.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  MODERN VERSION OF “PAUL AND VIRGINIA.”]

* * * * *

VOCES POPULI.

THE IMPROMPTU CHARADE-PARTY.

SCENE—­The Library of a Country-House; the tables and chairs are heaped with brocades, draperies, and properties of all kinds, which the Ladies of the company are trying on, while the men rack their brains for a suitable Word.  In a secluded corner, Mr. NIGHTINGALE and MISS ROSE are conversing in whispers.

Mr. Whipster (Stage-Manager and Organiser—­self-appointed).  No—­but I say, really, you know, we must try and decide on something—­we’ve been out half an hour, and the people will be getting impatient! (To the Ladies.) Do come and help; it’s really no use dressing up till we’ve settled what we’re going to do.  Can’t anybody think of a good Word?