a moral to the Pessimist, and encourage those who take a more radiant
view of the possibilities of life!

* * * * *

A PLEBISCITE FOR PARNASSUS.

[The result of the _Pall Mall's_ competition for the
Laureateship has been to place Mr. ERIC MACKAY and Mr.
GILBART-SMITH first and second, and SWINBURNE and MORRIS
nowhere.]

A popular vote the Laureate's post to fill?
Ay! if Parnassus were but Primrose Hill.
The Penny Vote puts lion below monkey.
'Tis "Tuppence more, Gents, and _up goes the donkey!_"

* * * * *

QUITE MOVING.--_From Far and Near_ and _All Alive_, are two excellent
"movable toy-books" that will please the little ones (when their
seniors are tired of playing with them) far into the Yule-tide season.
The author is LOTHAR MAGGENDORFER, a gentleman to whom _Mr. Punch_
wishes a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." This may appear a
little premature, but it is a far cry from England to Germany, and the
Sage of Fleet Street has allowed for any delays that may be caused by
fogs, railway unpunctuality, and other necessary evils.

* * * * *