I see him slinking about London sometimes.  Last year he passed, with much discredit, through the Bankruptcy Court.  He has been a Director of countless Companies, for the stock of fools seems to be inexhaustible.  There can only be one end for such a man as SHEEF.  The cool, callous, and calculating knave may get clear through to the end; but SHEEF always was stupidly good-natured, and good-nature hangs like a millstone round the neck of rascality.  I cannot myself detest him as I ought to do.  He was so near to completely successful respectability.  But crookedness ruined him, in spite of his better wishes.  Was it altogether his own fault?

That, as Mr. BRET HARTE observes, lets me out.

I remain as before, DIOGENES ROBINSON.

* * * * *

A DANGEROUS TITLE.

(TO MR. JOSEPH HATTON, AUTHOR OF “CIGARETTE PAPERS.")

  Cigarette Papers, JOSEPH, when properly stuffed,
  Are meant, I suppose, to be zealously puffed. 
  When we take them in hand, a consuming desire
  Attacks us to set the gay trifles on fire. 
  Yet, the brand being good (here’s the point of my joke),
  They are always enjoyed ere they vanish in smoke.

* * * * *

FROM AN X.J.P.  TO LORD CHIEF JUSTICE PUNCH.—­Sir,—­Why complain of “the Licence of the Bar?” Of course it goes with, and is a part of, every Licence to a Public-house granted by the Middlesex Magistrates.  I’ve retired some years myself, am a bit deaf, and don’t read much; but I heard just enough to warrant me in writing to you at once on what appears to me so simple a matter.

ROBERT SHALLOW, X.J.P., M.M.

At the Sign of the Pig and Pippin.

* * * * *

TO THE FUTURE A.R.A.—­Better luck next time, Mr. SWAN.  Be satisfied that, though at present unelected, you are Swan, R.A., i.e., Rara Avis.  As you can plume yourself on this, so “in hoc Cygno, vinces!” Which we caninecally and not canonically for the nonce nonce-sensically render, “In this (matter), to the Swan (we say) you will (go in and) win!”

* * * * *

NOTICE.—­Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper.  To this rule there will be no exception.