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MORE RUSSIAN TYRANNY.—­Punch is not admitted into Russia unless bound.

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“THE SHODKIN.”

[In a Jewish divorce case it was alleged that the petitioner and respondent had been brought together by a “Shodkin.”  The Shodkin, it was explained, was a person who brought about marriages between members of the Jewish community, and was paid a fee by one or both the parties.]

  “I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.”—­Merchant of Venice.

  “Give me new rhymes,” the poet cries,
    “I want another rhyme for ‘bodkin,’”
  And here comes dropping from the skies
    That comfortable word, “the Shodkin.”

  Long have I racked my brain for rhymes,
    I tried to drag in Mr. GODKIN;
  On Friday last I read my Times,
    Eureka! down it goes—­the Shodkin.

  We live by verse, and how shall we
    This Hebrew middle-man disparage,
  To whom religion grants a fee,
    Paid by both sides, for making marriage?

  Nay, Jew, we thank thee for the word,
    For Fate two Jews might haply sever;
  The busy Shodkin comes as third,
    And swiftly makes them one for ever.

* * * * *

AN OPERATIC PUZZLE.

I had been informed that it was no use buying a book of Mireille, as those sold in the house were of a somewhat light and mis-leading character.  So I didn’t.  But I had a programme, and fortunately I was able to recognise most of the singers in spite of their disguise.  Also I comforted myself with the official information that the piece was to be performed, “by desire, in French.”  “Oho!” says I, to myself, “there is some sensible person on the Committee who doesn’t understand Italian, and prefers ‘French as she is sung.’” However, I recognised but one of the Covent Garden Committee men present, and he was there only in a casual sort of way.  DRURIOLANUS wasn’t en evidence; probably at home rehearsing various effects with a view to receiving the Imperial Majesty of Germany.  These receptions, including “such a getting up (and down) stairs,” walking with crab-like action, require a lot of rehearsal, not to mention the management of a sword which is apt to be dangerous only to the wearer, and the carrying of wax-lights, the effect of which on his official Court dress may recall to the mind of the Operatic Manager the celebrated name of GRISI.  There was no one in authority to tell me anything about Mireille, and this is what I made out of the plot.