O Twist, if plug be milder, let me buy.

"Rank twist, that seems to make me fade away,
Rank plug, that navvies smoke in loveless clay,
I know not which is ranker, no, not I.

"I fain would purchase flake, if that could be;
I needs must purchase plug, ah woe is me!
Plug and a cutty, a cutty, let me buy."

* * * * *

COMPLICATED CASE.--The other day, an Italian Organ-grinder was
arrested for having shot one GIUSEPPE PIA. "He admitted the charge"
(we quote the _Globe_), "but said the gun went off accidentally."
When a Gentleman "admits the charge" (though indeed it was the other
one who did _that_), how the gun went off seems to be a matter of
secondary importance.

* * * * *

THE NAME AND THE THING.--A vote of thanks to Sir CHARLES RUSSELL,
after his address to the Liberal and Radical Association, was earned
by a Wapping Majority.

* * * * *

A LATTERDAY VALENTINE.

(LEAP YEAR: NEW STYLE.)