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[Illustration: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

LORD SALISBURY. "HALLO!"

M. LE PRÉSIDENT. "HALLO!"

LORD SALISBURY. "YOU THERE?"

M. LE PRÉSIDENT. "ALL THERE!"

LORD SALISBURY. "CAN YOU SUGGEST AN _ENTRÉE_ FOR DINNER?"

M. LE PRÉSIDENT. "_HOMARD AU GRATIN_,--AND, BY THE WAY, HOW ABOUT
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LOBSTER QUESTION?"

LORD SALISBURY. "NOT BY TELEPHONE, THANK YOU!!!"

[_Telephone between London and Paris opened, Monday, March 23rd._]]

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[Illustration: SUFFERING ON THE "SILVER STREAK."

THESE GENTLEMEN (AFTER A FEW HOURS' REST) DECLARED UNANIMOUSLY IN
FAVOUR OF THE PROPOSED CHANNEL TUBULAR RAILWAY.]

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