“Whisht! it’s not whist!” LOCKWOOD whispered, keeping his eye closely fixed on game.  “It’s Baccarat. (Ah!  CLARKE!  I saw you.  Come, pay up.  You did that very clumsily.) It’s the Tranby Court case you know.  I’m not in it, but my learned brethren here hold briefs on either side, and they say they are bound, in the interests of their clients, to master the intricacies of the game.  I must say they have managed very successfully to subordinate their horror of gambling.  RUSSELL, you know, has a positive distaste for any game of chance.  But as he says, a Barrister must sometimes put his prejudices in his pocket.  ASQUITH brings to the game a serious aspect that positively sanctifies it.  As for EDWARD CLARKE, he’s wonderfully nimble.  He was trying la poucette just now when I called out to him.  As everything turns upon this, my learned friends say they must make themselves acquainted with it.  But I hope it won’t lead to any breaking up of families.  I’m told the Judges who are likely to be trying cases in London before Whitsuntide, impelled by a similar sense of duty, are also studying Baccarat.  The L.C.J. is reported to have developed a wonderful talent.  As a family man, and Recorder of Sheffield, I’m glad I’m not briefed in the case.”

[Illustration:  “Young Harry”]

Business done.—­Tithes Bill.

Friday.—­Young HARRY LAWSON, with his beaver up, moved Resolution approving the opening for certain hours, and under special regulations, of the National Museums and Galleries, closed in London to the public on Sundays, made capital and convincing speech; supported by men like JOHN LUBBOCK, and, from Conservative side, MAYNE and ELCHO.  Earlier in sitting, the voice of Whitechapel, Hoxton, Shoreditch, and Bethnal Green, had been heard by petition, praying for the boon.  But dear old ROBERT FOWLER knows better what is good for the people.  Opposed Motion.  OLD MORALITY, who never goes into his picture gallery at Greenlands after midnight on Saturday, whipped up Government forces; Motion lost by 166 against 39.

Mr. BUNG, who had been watching Debate from Distinguished Strangers’ Gallery, hugely delighted.  “S’elp me,” he said, “that’ll stop their little game for this Parliament, at least.  What do they mean hinterfering with honest tradesmen?  If you go opening your bloomin’ mooseums and picter galleries on Sunday afternoons, what’s to become of ME?”

Business done.—­Mr. BUNG’s; and very effectively, too.

* * * * *

“FLAT, STALE, AND UNPROFITABLE.”

  HAMPDEN, farewell!  Ere this you may have found
  The World you swore was flat is really round. 
  But many a man, with brains beneath his hat. 
  Swears that the World is round, and finds it flat.

* * * * *

THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE BOAT-RACE.

(MARCH 21.  OXFORD WON BY HALF A LENGTH.)