t the
monster would only just show them the tip of his nose."

"He has become quite a nuisance to the neighbourhood," said Mr. Trunk.

"I wonder," observed the conveyancer, "if the Alderman could put him
down?"

"Put _him_ down!" growled Trunk again; "the fellow's too fat. You might
as well try to put down a whale!"

"Then what can _we_ do?" said the conveyancer. "Could we manage to drown
him in his bath?"

"A likely idea!" returned the great merchant. "Do you not know that the
fellow lives half his life in the water, and can swim as well as a
fish?"

"Can we bring an action for ejectment?" suggested Mr. Starling. "Can we
not discover some flaw in his title-deeds?"

"I wish you'd try," answered the merchant. And the result of this
conspiracy against the offending Prince was, that Mr. Starling, by some
means best known to himself, obtained a copy of the title-deeds he
wanted, and soon picked two or three holes in them.

This good news he quickly communicated to the City merchants, who were
delighted beyond measure. An action was immediately commenced against
Prince Ippo, who did not seem in the least concerned about it, but took
his bath and drank his twenty bottles a-day as usual. The conveyancer
met with but little opposition, and gained the day.

Mr. Trunk and old Parrot were in raptures at the result. They warmly
congratulated Mr. Starling, and the three conspirators rejoiced over a
handsome dinner, which the great merchant gave on the occasion. But,
alas! their delight was of short duration: the friends of Prince Ippo
took up his cause, appealed against the decision, and after two trials,
threw the case into Chancery.

There it is likely to remain.

[Illustration: MR. PORCUPINE'S STUDIO.]

THE PORTRAIT-PAINTER.

MANY years ago there lived a celebrated artist who became very famous
for his portraits of the great men of the day. His name was Porcupine.
It is recorded, that noblemen of the highest rank used to visit his
studio, take luncheon with him, and honour him with their criticism.

In his earlier time he was much patronised by two of the great nobility,
both members of the Dilettante Society, who did much to bring the young
artist into notice--these were the great Lord Forestking and the
well-remembered Sir Hyde Jungle. His Lordship's patronage had, in the
first instance, been solicited for Mr. Porcupine by an eccentric
individual, a Mr. Munkey, a hanger-on of the aristocracy, who aped