Business done.—­Cambrian Directors admonished for Breach of Privilege.

Tuesday, April 12.—­House adjourns to-day for Easter Holidays; good many adjourned after Friday’s Sitting; some waited to hear JOKIM bringing in his Budget last night.  Few left to-day to wind up the business.  HUGHES, gallant Colonel who represents Woolwich, here a few minutes ago.  But he’s gone too.  “Sometimes,” he said, with a far-away smile, “they call me ‘the Woolwich Infant.’  If I am such a very big gun, perhaps the best thing I can do is to go off.”

I follow his example.

Business done.—­Adjourned for Easter Holidays.

* * * * *

THE LEGEND OF THE MUTTON BONE.

(BY OUR NEWLY-MARRIED POETESS.)

[Illustration]

  When the world is full of flowers and of butterflies at play,
  I could sit beneath the roses eating chocolates all day;
  But my heart is very heavy as I ponder with dismay
        On the Mutton Bone a-lying in the Larder!

  For GEORGE has squandered sixpence on a telegram from town,
  To say that he has come across “that dear old chappie—­BROWNE,”
  And to dine with us this evening he means to bring him down—­
        And the Mutton Bone is lying in the Larder!

I have just been down to see it, and my courage sinks a-new,
Though Cook has kindly promised me her very best to do—­
Which means that she’ll convert into an appetising stew

            The Mutton Bone a-lying in the Larder.

But I suddenly remember, with a blush of rosy pink,
That Cook—­alas! is given to the frequent use of drink,
And if she once gets muddled up—­perhaps she’ll never think

            Of the Mutton Bone a-lying in the Larder!

* * * * *

As the western sun is gilding all the heather of the moor,
Down the basement stairs I’m creeping—­till a widely open door
Shows me Cook in heavy slumber on her cherished kitchen floor—­

            And the Mutton Bone is lying in the Larder!

O GEORGE, there’ll be no dinner, dear, for you and BROWNE to-day! 
I picture to myself the pretty words that you will say—­
And I seize my guinea bonnet—­and I wander far away

            From the Mutton Bone a-lying in the Larder!

* * * * *

MOTTO FOR A SOAP CO.—­“Nothing like Lather.”

* * * * *

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