The lawn's a lake, whereon there float
The balls that erst would o'er it fly;
We can't play tennis from a boat,
In wet July.

Our garden-party's ruined quite,
Of invitations friends fight shy;
They wisely shun the sloppy sight
In wet July.

Take that old aneroid away,
A new barometer we'll try;
With hope for haply one fine day--
In wet July.

* * * * *

BEATING THE RECORD.--Mrs. MALAPROP's "Cerberus, as three single
gentlemen rolled into one," was "not in it" last week with H.R.H. the
Prince of WALES, who, in the course of the Royal Entertainments given
to our Imperial Cousin-German, appeared as "a host of illustrious
personages." An admirable performance.

* * * * *

A NURSERY ECHO FROM CARLOW.

PARNELL put the KETTLE on,
TIM HEALY came it rather strong,