be their natural inclination, the call to immolate themselves on the funeral pyre.  There’s ——­, and ——­, and ——­ ——.” (Wild horses couldn’t drag these names from me.  Anyone interested should write to the SAGE, Poste Restante Marienbad.) “They could not think of lingering on the political scene after the retirement of the head of the family.  I shall certainly attend the Suttee.  It will be an interesting and ennobling spectacle.  It will, moreover, make some room on the newly constructed Treasury Bench.”

Business done.—­SAGE goes off by the Club train.  The two muffled-up figures seen in the background of the station are emissaries of AKERS-DOUGLAS charged with the mission of ascertaining whether he’s really gone.

[Illustration:  An Idea.]

Saturday.—­House sitting to-day.  Should have prorogued yesterday at latest; but, somehow, drifting on; Members, for their part, drifting off; affairs reached lowest level; business practically wound up; but House must needs sit another week in order that Appropriation Bill may be got through all its stages, and so the Constitution saved.

Looking round the dull and deadly scene, discover WADDY, Q.C., with legs engagingly intertwined, and the forefinger that has wagged a verdict out of many juries resting on his massive brow.  “Got a headache?” I asked, that being the most natural thing under the circumstances.

“No, I’ve got an idea.  I’ll pair go off for my well-earned holiday, leaving others to look after the Appropriation Bill.”

“So will I,” I said, suddenly caught and borne away by that enthusiasm which has so often influenced amount of damages in breach of promise cases. Business done.—­Practically finished.  TOBY, M.P., pairs for remaining days of Session.

* * * * *

AULD-(ER)-MAN GRAY.

(THE SONG OF A COMING CELEBRITY.)

    [Alderman GRAY is to be the next Lord Mayor, unopposed, on
    retirement of Alderman EVANS.]

  When SAVORY has ruled a twelvemonths to a day,
  Guid EVANS he’ll withdraw to give place to lucky GRAY;
  To Auld-(er)-man GRAY, who shall rule in the Ci-tee,
  GRAY was clearly born to be great—­and I am he! 
  I gang like a host, though ’tis airly to begin;
  I try not to be prood, for that wad be a sin,
  But I will do my best a guid Lord MAYOR to be,
  For Auld-(er)-man GRAY will soon rule in the Ci-tee!

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.—­Legal Fiction.—­The Lord Chief Justice was certainly a little severe in his remarks on Stock Exchange morality, and it is natural that you should feel hurt at the ignorant criticism of a mere outsider.  As you remark, there can be no question but that the Stock Exchange affords the highest example in this country of a school of honour and virtue.  What is called “Legal Intelligence” is often very defective.