* * * * *

AN OMISSION AT THE GUILDHALL LUNCHEON.--On the occasion of the Civic
Banquet to the German EMPEROR, an Alderman, distinguished for his
courtesy to strangers, and his appreciation of good dishes, especially
of anything at all spicy, wished to know why, as a compliment to their
Imperial guest, they had omitted "pickelhaubes" from the bill of fare?
He had understood, from well-informed friends, that the EMPEROR seldom
went anywhere without some "pickelhaubes," whatever they might be,
as he himself, the worthy Alderman, had never had the opportunity of
tasting one.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE RED QUEEN AND THE WHITE; OR, ALICE IN THUNDERLAND.]

* * * * *

JOLLY JULY.

The storm of rain comes swirling down,
Our helpless flow'rets droop and die;
The thunder crashes o'er the town--
In wet July.

Our cricket-match is spoilt, the stumps
We draw beneath a drenching sky;
Then homeward wend in doleful dumps--
In wet July.