fire."--"To convince you," cried Curran, "I don't wish to take any
advantage, you shall _chalk_ my size upon _your body_, and all hits out
of the ring shall go for nothing."

CMXXXIV.--SOMETHING LACKING.

HOOK was walking one day with a friend, when the latter, pointing out on
a dead wall an incomplete inscription, running, "WARREN'S B----," was
puzzled at the moment for the want of the context. "'Tis _lacking_ that
should follow," observed Hook, in explanation.

CMXXXV.--THE HONEST MAN'S LITANY.

FROM a wife of small fortune, but yet very proud,
Who values herself on her family's blood:
Who seldom talks sense, but for ever is loud,
_Libera me!_

From living i' th' parish that has an old kirk,
Where the parson would rule like a Jew or a Turk,
And keep a poor curate to do all his work,
_Libera me!_

From a justice of peace who forgives no offence,
But construes the law in its most rigid sense,
And still to bind over will find some pretence,
_Libera me!_

From dealing with great men and taking their word,
From waiting whole mornings to speak with my lord,
Who puts off his payments, and puts on his sword,
_Libera me!_

From Black-coats, who never the Gospel yet taught,
From Red-coats, who never a battle yet fought,
From Turn-coats, whose inside and outside are naught,
_Libera me!_

CMXXXVI.--THREE DEGREES OF COMPARISON.

A LADY, proud of her rank and title, once compared the three classes of
people, nobility, gentry, and commonalty, to china, delf, and crockery.
A few minutes elapsed, when one of the company expressed a wish to see
the lady's little girl, who, it was mentioned, was in the nursery.
"John," said she to the footman, "tell the maid to bring the little
dear." The footman, wishing to expose his mistress's ridiculous pride,
cried, loud enough to be heard by every one,--"_Crockery_! bring down
little _China_."

CMXXXVII.--MEN OF LETTERS.

A CORRESPONDENT, something new
Transmitting, signed himself X.Q.
The editor his letter read,
And begged he might be X.Q.Z.

CMXXXVIII.--ELEGANT RETORT.

IT is a common occurrence in the University of Cambridge for the