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QUEER QUERIES.--CURRENCY REFORM.--I see that the CHANCELLOR OF THE
EXCHEQUER intends to "call in" light sovereigns. The sovereigns I have all
seem to be tolerably heavy, so would there be any objection to my
lightening them by taking some of the gold off, and keeping it? This would
form a nice little "metallic reserve" for me, a thing which Mr. GOSCHEN
seems to approve of. Would not an appropriate motto, to be inscribed on the
new One Pound Notes, be--"_Quid, pro quo?_"--SLY-METALLIST.

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[Illustration: LONDON IN VENICE.]

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[Illustration]

HORACE IN LONDON.

TO A SKITTISH GRANDMOTHER. (_AD CHLORIN._)

FORBEAR this painted show to strut
Of girlish toilet, manner skittish:
It may be _Fin-de-Siècle_, but
It isn't British.

To dance, to swell the betting rank,
To rival 'ARRIET at Marlow;