"Next year," I swore, in this compunctious mood,
"I will be energetic, virtuous, kind;
Unflinching I will face the awful grind
Of being good."

I paused, half troubled by a thought--
Were my proposals too sublime?
Vowed I more deeply than I ought?
I glanced to see the time.
It was 12.10 A.M. At once a thrill,
A wave of manful resolution, sped
Through all my being. "Yes," I bravely said;
"_Next_ year I will!"

* * * * *

A PLAY OF FEATURES.

[Being Sir GEORGE ALEXANDER'S production of _The Attack_ at
the St. James's.]

SCENE--Alexandre Mérital's _house_.


ACT I.


_Daniel Mérital_. My father is a wonderful man. Leader of the Social
Party in the Chamber of Deputies, noted among his colleagues for his
absolute integrity, supported by the millionaire newspaper proprietor,