branch!
Beware the whelming avalanche!"
"Thanks!" he replied. "I know, I know.
But--well, I rather like the snow!
Excel no more!"

"Lost in the snow! An easy death!
Gentle surcease of mortal breath!
I sink, I stiffen, I'm foredone!
The feeling though's a pleasant one;
Excel no more!"

The traveller by his faithful hound
Half-buried in the snow was found,
Still muttering from a mouth of ice
That banner's late and strange device,
Excel no more!

There in the snow-drift cold and grey,
Silent, but stalwart, still he lay,
Great "Blood-and-Iron," brave and bold,
But--for the nonce--"Out in the Cold!"
Excel no more?

* * * * *

PARLIAMENT IN SPORT;

_OR, A MEETING IN EARNEST._

["Perhaps the popularity of the competition in national sport
between the different parts of the Empire is worthy of the
serious attention of statesmen ... Mr. ASTLEY COOPER proposes
rowing, running and cricket ... There is something fascinating
in the idea of such a Pan-Britannic gathering."--_Daily
Paper_.]

The SPEAKER, having taken his seat in the Pavilion, the Minister for
Cricket rose to move the third reading of The Six-balls-to-an-over
Bill.

The Right Hon. Gentleman said that the amount of time wasted in
changing sides, although the field did their best to minimise the
loss by assuming a couple of positions alternately, was very
serious--especially in a first-class match.

The Member for Melbourne begged to ask what _was_ a first-class match?

The Member for Sydney replied, certainly not a match between Canada
and Victoria. (_Laughter.)_ Now everyone was aware that New South
Wales--("_Question! Order! Order!")_ He begged pardon, he was in
order.

The SPEAKER. I really must request silence. The Minister for Cricket
is introducing a most important measure, and the least we can do is to
receive his statement with adequate attention. (_General cheering_.)

The Minister for Cricket continued, and said that the measure he had
the honour to commend to their careful consideration would not only
lengthen the over, but also allow Cricket to be played all the year
round.

The Minister for Football begged to remind his Right Hon. friend
that he had promised to consider that matter in Committee. What would
become of Football were Cricket to be played continuously? ("_Hear,
hear_!")

The Member fo