nd the entirely, superseded Champagne. It
has carried, at one time or another, all the nobility to Rosherville,
there to spend (as the old saying went) "a happy day," and yet it is
proposed to break it up! Out upon the thought! Have we no veneration
for our relics of the past? Cannot we appreciate a boat that should
have had an honoured place in the Museum at Woolwich? Do not let this
act of Vandalism be done. Save the steamer for the sake of its past.

Yours truly, A REAR-ADMIRAL.

_H.M.S. Electric-Balloon, Skye._

DEAR MR. PUNCH,--I appeal to you, and I know I shall not appeal in
vain. The picturesque Cabman's Shelter in the middle of Piccadilly is
threatened! I hope you will exert your influence to preserve it. It
absolutely teems with historical associations. Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL
is supposed to have used it for writing his famous letter on the
Poor-Laws, and to this day is shown the initials of CHARLES STUART
PARNELL which were carved by that celebrated statesman on one of its
benches about the middle of the last century--probably in 1854. And
why is it to be removed? Simply because it is said to impede the
traffic! Could anything be more absurd? Do, pray, save it from the
hand of the ruthless "improver." Yours truly,

ONE WHO RESPECTS THE PAST.

_Tumbledowns, West Kensington_ (_late Reading_).

* * * * *

[Illustration: OVERHEARD IN THE HIGHLANDS.

_First Chieftain_. "I SAY, OLD CHAP, WHAT A DOOSE OF A BORE THESE
GAMES ARE!"

_Second Chieftain_. "AH, BUT, MY DEAR BOY, IT IS THIS SORT OF THING
THAT HAS MADE US SCOTCHMEN _WHAT WE ARE_!!"]

* * * * *

[Illustration: A NUISANCE.

_Miss Priscilla_. "YES; IT'S A BEAUTIFUL VIEW. BUT TOURISTS ARE IN THE
HABIT OF BATHING ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE, AND THAT'S RATHER A DRAWBACK."

_Fair Visitor_. "DEAR ME! BUT AT SUCH A DISTANCE AS THAT--SURELY--"

_Miss Priscilla_. "AH, BUT WITH A _TELESCOPE_, YOU KNOW!"]

* * * * *

AT LAST!

(_JEREMIAD BY A MIDDLE-AGED MARTYR TO THE GREAT SEASIDE
SUPERSTITION._)

["To middle-aged people, at all events, nothing can be more
trying and deleterious than holidays."--_Daily News_.]

Oh, thanks to thee, thanks to thee, sage unconventional!
Heaven be blest, the truth's out, then, at last!
Holiday woes--'twould take volumes to mention all!--
Now, in the lump, meet a shrewd counterblast.
_Trying?_ Of course they