of

EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AND AMERICA.

This Star Artist will be followed by that talented _troupe_ of
relatives who for many years have drawn enormous crowds to their
performances under the assumed but appropriate name of

THE BOUNDING BROTHERS OF THE SPELLING-BEES.

They will go through their marvellous feats in tossing barrels
(bearing on their sides painted letters), and thus combining amusement
with instruction. Their last act will be to keep in simultaneous
motion a sufficient number of labelled milk-cans to spell the
sentence, "Farewell to all kind friends in front." This marvellous
double quartette will be followed by

THE ARITHMETICAL BICYCLIST,

[Illustration]

who will ride his favourite two-wheeled vehicle while he sings a
song introducing in a pleasing manner the Multiplication Table. This
sweet-toned vocalist will be succeeded by

_THE STAR-LOVING PIG ATTENDED BY COMICAL HERSCHEL._

In which the former will spell out (with the assistance of card-board
letters) a number of interesting astronomical facts at the instigation
of his mirth-provoking master and proprietor. This talented performer
will be followed by

THE UNIVERSAL KNOWLEDGE QUADRILLE.

In which the entire _troupe_ will appear on horseback, and go through
the programme of studies (proficiency in which is required by the
Tenth Standard) without a single mistake.

The performances will then be brought to an appropriate and jubilant
conclusion by

_A SILVER COLLECTION IN AID OF THE RATES!_

* * * * *

QUEER QUERIES.--OUR DEFENCES.--I am informed that Mr. STANHOPE is
expected shortly to go abroad, "in order to recruit." Can even the
blindest military optimist any longer deny that the British Army is
a nefarious imposture, when the Minister for War is forced into an
ignominious attempt to raise a body of foreign mercenaries by his own
personal efforts?

HALF-PAY PATRIOT.

SCIENTIFIC.--Could you kindly tell me what "the Great Ice Age" means?
My Pater took me to hear some fellow lecture about it the other day,
but I couldn't understand much of what he said. I thought he was going
to talk about strawberry ices and lemon ices, which I like awfully,
but he didn't even mention them! Don't you think _twelve_ is the great
Ice Age--I mean the age when boys ought to be allowed to eat as many
as they like? N.B.--I am just twelve.

TOMMY.

* * * * *

WORTH SEEING.--"We und