Dance little maidens through from light to light.

* * * * *

BIRDS OF A FEATHER.

[Lord HAWKE's team of Cricketers were beaten at Manheim by
the Philadelphians by eight wickets whereat the _Philadelphia
Ledger_ cockadoodles considerably. The Britishers, however,
won the return match somewhat easily.]

The Yankee Eagle well might squeal and squawk
At having licked the British bird (Lord) HAWKE.
But when that HAWKE his brood had "pulled together,"
That Eagle found it yet might "moult a feather."
Go it, ye friendly-fighting fowls! But know
'Tis only "Roosters" who o'er conquest _crow_!

* * * * *

HOME SWEET HOME!

(_BY ONE WHO BELIEVES THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE IT._)

[Illustration]

Sweet to return (for home the Briton hankers,
After an exile of two months or so,
Swiss or Italian). Sweet--to find your Banker's
Balance getting low.

Sweet to return from Como or Sorrento.
Meshed in their shimmering net of drowsy sheen,
Into a climate that you know not when to
Really call serene.

Sweet to return from hostelries whose waiters
Rush to fulfil your slightest word or whim,
Back to a cook who passionately caters
Not for you, but _him_.

Sweet to return from _Table-d'Hotes_ disgusting
(Oh, how you grumbled at the _Sauce Romaine_!)
Fresh to the filmy succulence incrusting
Solid joints again.

Sweet to return from Innkeepers demurely
Pricing your candle at a franc unshamed,
Back to a land where perquisites are surely
Never, never claimed.

Sweet to return from bargaining, disputing,
_Pourboires_ and _Trinkgelds_ grudgingly bestowed--
Unto the simple charioteers of Tooting,
Or the Cromwell Road.

Sweet to return from "all those dreadful tourists,"
Such mixed society as chance allots,
E'en to the social splendour of the purists
Of those sparkling spots.

Sweet to return to bills and fogs and duty!
(Some of the latter at our Custom House)
Sweet, after smaller game, to hail the beauty
Of the British mouse!

Sweet too the sight of cockchafer; and sweet'll
Welcome the pilgrim, doomed too long to roam,
England's tried sentinel, the black, black beetle
With his "Home, sweet Home!"

* * * * *

[Illustration: LONDON'S DILEMMA; OR, "FAIR ROSAMOND" UP TO DATE.