re--be delighted to banish.
That big "Home-Rule" Bogey, my Bobadil, seems
A "handful" with which you are destined to struggle,
Which darkens your days as it haunts all your dreams;
Which you cannot get rid of by force or by juggle.

_You've got him, you say?_ Well, then, bring him along!
Ha! ha! Says _"he can't!"_ That's exceedingly funny!
It _is_ very hard when your "captive"'s so strong,
He won't do your bidding for love or for money.
Like SAMSON he leads his DELILAH a dance.
Like PAT'S prisoner--all know the old Irish story--
He won't give his captor a ghost of a chance.
Such "prisoners" _do_ mar their conqueror's glory.

_"Well, leave him behind, then, and come on alone!"_--
Eh! "Captive won't _let_ you?" That's just what I told you!
Your trophy, "Home Rule," has an incubus grown;
He's got _you_, my friend, and, my faith, he will _hold_ you.
'Tis PADDY'S Dilemma all over again,
Only you're the true PAT. You can't take it _or_ leave it.
Your triumph was futile, your struggles are vain;
Mine's the Sentinel's eye, and you cannot deceive it.

[_Left chortling, but still "on duty."_

* * * * *

"NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE"-- SUCCESSION?

"Supply--Army Estimates."

General FRASER--not a _phraser_ clearly--
Military grumbling vents sincerely;
House won't listen, and the cruel _Times_
Summarised his tale of woes and crimes,
As--great CAESAR!--"a few observations."
TANNER, always great on such occasions,
Intimates that it is his impression
Soldiers are "succeeding in succession"
In the interest of more Expense.
Well, "economists" make stir immense,
But in spite of most Draconic manner,
Hardly ever seem to _save_--a "tanner."
So that one is prone to think indeed,
In succession they do _not_--"succeed!"

* * * * *

"A LEGGE UP."--The new Bishop of LICHFIELD.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THE DILEMMA."

(_NEW ADAPTATION OF AN OLD IRISH STORY_.)

H-RC-RT. "HILLO, JOE! I'VE GOT HIM!"

CH-MB-RL-N. "ALL RIGHT; BRING HIM ALONG THEN!"

H-RC-RT. "BUT HE _WON'T COME!_"

CH-MB-RL-N. "THEN LEAVE HIM, AND COME AWAY!"

H-RC-RT. "BUT _HE WON'T LET ME!!!_"]

* * * * *

VOCES POPULI.

DILATORY DINNERS.

SCENE--_The Grounds of a certain Exhibition. On this particular
evening, there has been a slight hitch