and so--as I believe, for I remember nothing after this--I doze off to
sleep on this my first night in the ancient town of Reims.

* * * * *

BUMBLE BROUGHT TO BOOK.

["Mr. Ritchie ... has taken the unusual step of preparing a
memorandum explanatory of ... the Public Health (London)
Act, which comes into operation on the 1st of January ...
The Vestries and District Councils ... have come out with
increased powers, but also with increased responsibilities.
They are in future known as 'the sanitary authorities'; they
must make bye-laws, and enforce not only their own, but
those made by the County Council; and, if they fail in their
duty--as, for example, in the matter of removing house-refuse,
or keeping the streets clean--they are liable to a fine. It is
pleasant to think that, in future, any ratepayer may bring Mr.
Bumble to book."--_The Times_.]

[Illustration: _President of the Local Government Board_. "THERE'S MR.
BUMBLE'S WORK, MADAM, AND IT'LL BE YOUR OWN FAULT IF YOU DON'T KEEP
HIM UP TO IT!"]

_Bumble_. Wot, more dooties piled upon me? It's a beastly black shame
and a bore.
Which Ritchie beats _Oliver Twist_ in a canter at "asking for more."
Didn't grasp his dashed Hact, not at fust, though of course I opposed
it like fun;
But this 'ere Memyrandum's a startler. _I_ want to know what's to be done.