l have a real rest,_
_The big wheel and the little shift and wobble,_
_I think the low pneumatic Cycle's best._
_Eh? "Dangerous to Cyclists!" That's a notice,_
_I fancy, that suggests a spin down-hill._
_How stiff I feel! How very parched my throat is!_
_Hold up! By Jove, but that was near a spill!_)

I emphasise the fact that I consider
That, physically--(_Pheugh! that little wheel_
_Is dangerous as poor old WELLER's "widder_,")
Yes, morally, and socially, I feel
The benefits of Cycling are unbounded,
Almost--(_Almost I fear a nasty fall!_
_I wish, with big and little wheel confounded,_
_That I were on a Safety, after all!_)

* * * * *

WHISPER BY _AN ILL_ WIND.--If Alderman KNILL cannot conscientiously
attend the Established Church service, whereat it is not essential for
a Lord Mayor to be present, the Court of Aldermen ought to be proud
of him, and elect him "Willy-Knilly" to be Lord Mayor all the same.
Whatever may be the result, of Alderman KNILL nothing but good can be
said. "_Nil nisi bonum._"

* * * * *

BLACK GAME.--"Bother Morocco!" says a Sportsman. "What's the news from
the Moors?"

* * * * *

A PROSPECT OF THE TWELFTH.

(_BY AN IMPRESSIONIST._)

Certainly, I can foresee my adventures. I can tell of my march over
the heather, of my delight as the breezy air sweeps over the moors,
and helps to bronze my already sunburnt face!

I can fancy the chatter of the keeper as he holds my second gun, and
pays me that attention which can only be wiped off by tips! I can hear
the sound of the first shot, and decipher the meaning of the initial
puff of smoke!

I can see the shadows disappearing as lunchtime comes to hand. I can
recognise the cart with its goodly contents, and the girls who will
sit beside us as we discuss our modest pies (hot and savoury,) and
quaff our '84. And then I can hear the retreating footsteps as the
darlings trip away, leaving us to resume our chase after the birds.

And then the shadows will grow longer, and the sun will set behind
the hills in a mass of purple, red, and gold; and it will be time for
us to turn our faces towards the shooting-box that will shelter us
through the long watches of the summer's night.

And lastly I can see the final halt at the poulterer's, as we purchase
the grouse to fill our bags before the journeying home.