And the sooner the official writing on the wall--if it exists--be
obliterated, the better for the public service, as, when the public, like
the Captain in the ballad of "_Billy Taylor_," "Comes for to hear on't,"
the said British Public will "werry much applaud what has been done" in
suppressing, not issuing, reconsidering, or revoking the order. So says
"Mr. P.," and the "B.P." will agree with him.

* * * * *

THE ANCIENT MILLINER.

(_His Reminiscences of the Recent Gale._)

PART I.

It was the Ancient Milliner
Stood by his open door;
The tale he told was something like
A tale I'd heard before.

* * * * *

I called forthwith a Hansom, and
"Now, Cabman, drive!" I cried;
"For I must get this bandbox home
Before the eventide.

"The bride a-pacing up the aisle
Mad as a dog would be,
Without this sweet confection of