R'S DIARY.--_Otello_ (the Grand Otello Company, Limited) was
the feature last week. GIANINI a stout _Otello_, much and Moor. MELBA
a charming _Desdemona_, but not a great part for her. DUFRICHE as
_Iago_, good, but not good enough for _him_. Sir DRURIOLANUS gives
_Carmen_ at Windsor Castle, before the QUEEN! Aha! Where now is
LAGO Factotum and His Special Patronaged Royal Box at the Olympic?
DRURIOLANUS Victor, with all the honours.

* * * * *

AT A RINK.

Round and round, and to and fro
At a rink,
Pretty girls, with cheeks that glow
Rosy pink;
Graceful, gleeful, gliding, go,
Whilst they link
Arms together, like the flow
Past its brink
Of a river's eddy--so
Duffers think
They can glide. See one start slow,
Shyly shrink,
Fearful lest his end be woe,
Sheepish slink,
Skates on unaccustomed toe
Strangely clink,
Hot and thirsty he will grow,
Long for drink;
All around amusement show,
Laugh and wink,
But they look as black as crow,
Or as ink,
If he fall against them. Oh,
In a twink
On the floor, not soft but low,
See him sink!
Whilst he murmurs gently, "Blow
This old rink!"

* * * * *

LOGICAL AND ENGINE-IOUS.--Why object (though we do) to Advertisements
of all sorts along our Railway lines? Surely, wherever the Locomotive
goes, there is the very place for puffing.

* * * * *

[Illustration: BOGEY OR BENEFACTOR?

L.C.C. "HA, HA! YOU MUST LEARN TO LOVE ME!"]

* * * * *

[Illustration: QUITE UNPARDONABLE.

_Assistant_ (_in his most insinuating manner_). "IN YOUR CASE, MADAM,
I SHOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER _FAST_ COLOURS MOST SUITABLE." RESULT!]

* * * * *

CONVERSATIONAL HINTS FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS.

THE SMOKING-ROOM.

(_WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "ANECDOTES."_)

Let us imagine, if you please, that the toils and trampings of the day
are over. You are staying at a comfortable country-house with friends
whom you like. You have had a good day at your host's pheasants
and his rabbits. Your shooting has been fairly accurate, not
ostentatiously brilliant, but on the whole satisfactory. You have
followed out the hints given in my previous Chapters, and are
con