Was e'er more eager for the sinewy fight.
Much time is spent in "getting into grips."
Mark how each wrestler crouches, feints, and slips!
Mark how they circle round and round the ring,
Like wary "pug," like tiger on the spring,
Cautious as one, though as the other bold,
Eye, foot, and hand manoeuvring for a hold!
And when indeed they close in mutual clutch,
And put the champion honours to the touch,
Strain every muscle, try each latest "chip,"
Which man shall first relax his sinewy grip,
Be hiped, back-heeled, cross-buttocked, or bored down,--
That's just the question that now stirs the town.
The funeral games of a dead Parliament
Bring every hero eager from his tent:
Say, will ULYSSES, for his art renown'd,
O'erturn the strength of AJAX on the ground?
Or will the strength of AJAX overthrow
The watchful caution of his artful foe?
Will SALISBURION fairly hold his own,
Or be by white-lock'd GLADSTONIDES thrown?
All ask, all wonder much, but who may say?
"Another story" that, and for another day!

* * * * *

MRS. RAMSBOTHAM's attention was directed to a letter in the
_Standard_, of June 14, headed:--"Nancy and the Cambridge Delegates."
She supposes that "this is another Spinning House case like that of
DAISY HOPKINS and the Cambridge Undergraduates." Mrs. M. is indignant.