Then they spoke to one another.

“ZOZIMUS,” she murmured, softly, “and is this our last meeting?”

[The name of ZOZIMUS was selected for the hero because it is an uncommon one, and consequently unlikely to be confounded with any more frequently-used designation.  If by an unlucky chance there is a ZOZIMUS, he is assured that the coincidence is purely accidental.]

“I am afraid it must be so, my ZULUWOLFA,” was the heartbroken response.

[Again the name has been chosen on the same lines as the selection of ZOZIMUS, and the explanation above given may be taken as having reference to both.]

“And so you are going across the sea in a boat?” she queried, trying to smile, in spite of her blinding tears.

[No boat in particular is intended, and we have the author’s authority for saying that he has the greatest respect for every official connected with the shipping interest.]

“Yes,” he returned, sadly, “it is my father’s wish, and I trust that in a new world I shall find greater prosperity than I have been able to achieve in dear old England.”

[No reference is made in the above to any weekly publications, although, perhaps the World and England may have been taken as titles for Saturday journals.  Before passing this passage, we received the assurance of the author that he felt the deepest esteem for the Editors of the periodicals thus inadvertently mentioned.]

“Well, my beloved, you will soon see me; and, dead or alive, I shall be by your side in the spirit.”

[This passage is not intended to single out any particular firm of distillers]

“We shall meet again,” he cried, pressing her frail form to his breast.  “Indeed we shall meet again.”

[It must not be assumed that there has been a misprint in the above passage, and that reference is made to any particular firm of butchers.]

And so they parted!

(To be continued in our next, after consultation with our Solicitor.)

* * * * *

WITHOUT THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.—­A few days since the Justices of South Shields sentenced a vagrant verging upon seventy years of age, to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour—­a matter to which attention was called when the Coroner held an inquest in the gaol on the poor old fellow’s body.  It would be interesting to know the names of these “un-worthies,” so that they might be gibbeted as a contrast to the sentiments that will prevail when Christmas ushers in a time of peace and good-will!

* * * * *

A STORY OF THE SEA (told on the Beach at Brighton).—­“Fine day for a sail, Sir!”

* * * * *

[Illustration:  A PROMISING FOUR-YEAR-OLD.

At the Meet he attracted no little attention.

When Hounds went away, he quickly assumed a prominent position.