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A CRY FROM THE CINDER-PATH.

DEAR MR. PUNCH,

I must appeal to you, the unimpeachable Caesar, in athletics as in all other matters, to secure me some small meed of public sympathy and consideration.  During the, happily, almost past year, I have been the victim of gross ill-treatment at the hands, nay, worse, the feet, of athletes of various kinds.  I have been cut in public by some of the best performers; I have been mercilessly beaten, and persistently lowered, till it is a wonder to myself that I have any self-respect left.  I am too good a sportsman at least, Sir, to complain of rough usage in a fair way, but while I must suffer for the ambition of every ped. and every wheel-man, my colleague and close relation, who is generally known as “The Standard,” is put higher and higher, without really doing anything at all to deserve his elevation.  I have had the people all shouting about me; I have been the subject of columns of statistical gush in the Sporting Press, and now I am constrained to appeal to a non-professional for bare justice in my crippled old age.  Wishing you a happier New Year than the old one has been to me, I am yours, in disgust,

A SMASHED RECORD.

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LONDON METEORILLOGICAL ARRANGEMENTS.

(FOR THE WINTER.)

CLERK OF WEATHER OFFICE.

Monday {Frost.  N.E. wind.  Light fall of Snow.  N. wind. 
{Change at night to S. Thaw.  Slosh.
Tuesday Fog.  E. wind.
Wednesday Thicker fog.  N.E. wind.  Frost.
Thursday Thicker fog.  E. wind.
Thursday Night. Fog.  Frost.  N. wind.
Friday & Friday Night Snow.  N. wind.  Sudden change to S.W. wind.
Saturday Sun for two hours.  Horrid slosh.
Sunday Drizzle.  Rain for one day.
Monday Hard frost.  N.E. wind.  Traffic almost impossible.
Tuesday and following days (Da capo, with a few variations.)

* * * * *

A MUSICAL NOTE.

Very fine performance by Royal Choral Society, at my little place in Kensington, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 10th, of MACKENZIE’s “Rose of Sharon.”  Everything couleur de Rose, except the atmosphere, which was couleur de pea-soup.  Weather responsible for a certain number of empty stalls in my hall.  Madame ALBANI in excellent voice—­sang throughout gloriously.  E.L., the Squire of Hall Barn, says that, when the eminent soprano sings at his place, he shall announce her as Madame HALLBARNI.  HILDA WILSON first-rate in “Lo! the King!” LLOYD as good as ever; can’t say more.  The duets between him and ALBANI, perfection.  WATKIN MILLS, an impressive Solomon, sang the difficult music of that character artistically.  The Chorus superb in one of finest choruses, written by an English composer, “Make a joyful Noise”—­very joyful noise they made, and a considerable one.  I consider the “Rose of Sharon” a masterpiece, and the greatest work of any Englishman—­and, now I come to think of it, MACKENZIE’s a Scotchman.  Yours truly, ALBERT HALL.