s are apart?
Humph! Nothing go easy as cynical chatter;
Distrust's diplomatic, and satire sounds "smart."
But, as RAIKES suggests, there _is_ something in hearing
The "great human voice" o'er some three hundred miles,
In spite of the scorn that's so given to sneering,
The hate that reviles.

One wonders what TALLEYRAND, subtle old schemer!
Would think of the Telephone were _he_ alive.
Wits sniff at the _savant_, and mock at the dreamer,
Who else, though, so hard for humanity strive?
BELLONA's sworn backers are woefully numerous;
Peace, let us pray, may claim this as _her_ friend;
The "Sentiment" flouted by swashbucklers humorous
Sways, at the end.

If language was given our thoughts for concealing,
The Telephone--'tis but a travelling Voice!--
Need not be the agent of reckless revealing,
And caution must often be candour's wise choice.
Unwisdom is sure to be sometimes caught napping,
And tongues may wag foolishly e'en through the wire.
Facilities freer for summary snapping
No sage can desire.

Great diplomats, proud of their "able dispatches,"
From trusting the tube with their wisdom may shrink.
The brain that in secret shrewd policies hatches,
May not care to canvas 'cute schemes "o'er a drink."
Yet times must be many when sense will be winner
By chatting of trifles, which nations have riled,
As freely as though _vis-a-vis_ at a dinner,
And carefully "tiled."

Now England and France can thus gossip together,
And CARNOT and SALISBURY thus hob-a-nob,
We'll hope for set-fair international weather.
Our RAIKES and their ROCHE appear well "on the job."
The Telephone's triumph at least is not sinister.
Things should go easier somehow--with care,
When patriot Minister greets patriot Minister,
"_Hallo!--are you there?_"

* * * * *

ANOTHER TELEPHONIC SUGGESTION.--Connect the Theatres and Opera Houses
by Telephone with all the Clubs. On payment of a fixed charge, any
member should be able to hear just as much of the piece or Opera as he
might require. Something above the price of a Stall to be the maximum
charge for one person to hear entire Opera. For half the Opera, say
six shillings; for a quarter of it, three-and-six. For hearing one
song in it, eighteen-pence; and, if certain songs be in great demand,
the p