* * * * *

Extract from a speech by Mr. BROMLEY on the eight-hours' day:--

"They had endeavoured after long weary waiting to bring to
fruition in due time what had been the first plank in their
programme for thirteen years."--_Morning Paper_.

But the plank, as might be expected, has, as fruit-growers say, "run
to wood."

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Colonel (asked to review V.A.D. Corps, and not wishing
to spring an order on them)_. "NOW, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU LADIES TO FORM
FOURS."]

* * * * *

THE PASSING OF THE COD'S HEAD.

(_A Romance of Chiswick Mall._)

It was because the dustman did not come;
It was because our cat was overfed,
And, gorged with some superior pabulum,
Declined to touch the cod's disgusting head;
It was because the weather was too warm
To hide the horror in the refuse-bin,