n a
striking tableau of bold but impecunious warriors refusing to mount, the
Curtain descends.

Then what pleasure to see _Albani-Elizabeth_ receiving the guests in Act
II., varying the courtesies with an affectionate embrace whenever a
particular friend among the ladies-of-the-court-chorus came in view. My
LORD CHAMBERLAIN, viewing the scene from his private box, must have picked
up many a hint for Court etiquette from studying this remarkable scene.
Then how familiar to us all is the arrangement of the bards all in a row,
like our old friends the Christy Minstrels, _Tannhaeuser_ being the
Tambourine, and _Wolfram_ the Bones! Charming. Great success. Repeat it by
all means.

* * * * *

[Illustration: CHIVALRY AT THE BREAKFAST-TABLE.

"NOW, COOK, JUST YOU LOOK HERE! LOOK AT THAT PIECE OF BACON I'VE JUST GIVEN
YOUR MISTRESS! IT'S THE THICKEST AND WORST CUT I EVER SAW IN MY LIFE!--AND
THIS PIECE I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE MYSELF IS _ONLY A LITTLE BETTER!_"]

* * * * *

"PLEASE GIVE ME A PENNY, SIR!"

A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE.

_Poor Income-Tax Payer, loquitur_:--

Please give me a Penny, Sir!
My hope is almost dead;
You hold the swag in that black bag,
And high you lift your head.
Some years I have been asking this,
But no one heeds my plea.
Will you not give me _something_ then,
_This_ year, good Mister G.?
Oh! please give me a Penny!

Please give me a Penny, Sir!
_You_ won't say "no" to me,
Because I'm poor, and feel the pinch
Of dreadful "Schedule D"!
You're so high-dried, and so correct,
So honest and austere!
Remember the full "Tanner," Sir,
I've stumped up year by year,
And please give me a Penny!

Please give me a Penny, Sir!
My Income is but small,
And the hard Tax laid on our backs
I _should_ not pay at all.
But I'm too feeble to resist,
And do not like to lie;
And Sixpence, under Schedule D,
Torments me till I cry,
Do please give me a Penny, Sir!

Consols, or Dividends, or Rents
Don't interest _me_ much;
"Goschens," reduced or otherwise,
Are things _I_ may not touch,
Two hundred pounds per year, all told,
Leaves little room for "exes;"
And 'tisn't only _public_ men
That "lack of pence" much vexes.
So please give me a Penny, Sir!

The mysteries of High Finance
I don't presume to plumb;