his practice to Dr. HOGG--and it only remains for us
to hope that Dr. HOGG has not bought a pig in a poke.

* * *

It looks as if even in America the respect for Titles is on the wane. We
venture to extract the following item from the catalogue of an American
dealer in autographs:--"BRYCE, JAMES, Viscount. Historian. Original MS.
33 pp. 4to of his article 'Equality.' In this he says:--'The evils of
hereditary titles exceed their advantage. In Great Britain they produce
snobbishness both among those who possess them and those who do not,
without (as a rule) any corresponding sense of duty to sustain the
credit of the family or the caste. Their abolition would be clear
gain....' And now he is a Viscount. Price 30 dollars."

* * * * *

MORE AFRICAN UNREST.

From a letter in _The East African Standard_:--

"We have indeed reached the stage known as the last straw on the
camel's back, and I, for one, am quite prepared, as one of the least
component parts of that camel, to add my iota to the endeavour to
kick over the traces. Let us unite and, marching shoulder to
shoulder and eye to eye, set sail for that glorious and equally
well-known goal--'Who pays the piper calls the tune.'"

No man of spirit could resist so stirring an appeal.

* * * * *

EMBARRASSING SITUATIONS.

I.

From the latest Official Report on anti-aircraft guns:--

"Another arrangement, constructed by Messrs. Lenz, is that in which the
layer's seat is attached to the muzzle of the gun."

II.

"The mediators who are to intervene to bring peace in Mexico have begun
their sittings at Niagara in a situation which is full of perplexity."

_The Saturday Westminster Gazette._

If the spot alluded to is immediately under the Falls we can well
understand their lack of confidence.

* * * * *

THE HOLIDAY MOOD.

TO THE LIBERAL PARTY--BRITISH SECTION.

["The effect, however" (of the Nationalists' enthusiasm) "was somewhat
marred by the apathy of the Liberals."--_"The Times," on the Third
Reading of the Home Rule Bill._]

Why was the timbrel's note suppressed?
Why rang there not a rousing paean
When Ireland, waiting to be blest,
Hanging about for half an aeon,
Achieved at length the heights of Heaven
By a majority of 77?

Why was the trombone's music dumb?
Why did the tears of