she says, "she has often heard of mares' nests."

* * * * *

"MINER PREMISES."--In the Coal Districts.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "A LITTLE HOLIDAY!!"

WORKING-MAN AND } "AH! IT'S ALL VERY WELL,--BUT WHAT'S _PLAY_
POOR CLERK. } TO _YOU_ IS _DEATH_ TO _US_."

* * * * *

WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY IT?

In an interesting description (that appeared in the _Times_ for
Saturday, February 27) of the working of the "Jacquard Card-Preparing
Machine," which is, it appears, "a machine for superseding the human
brain, eye, and hand"--(so that soon all who can afford it will be
fitted up with these machines, and keep their brains, eyes, and hands
in reserve for very special occasions)--it was stated that "the blank
cards are automatically fed to the punches." That punches should be
spelt without the capital P is of course a Printer's error, deserving
capital punishment. _Mr. P._ thinks it right to state in answer to
numerous inquiries, that all his _Punches_ speak by the card. But
as to even the smallest of the _Punch_ family being "fed" on cards,
or getting his or her living by cards, the statement is utterly at
variance with the facts. _Mr. P._ is quite sure that the "Jacquard