breaks this way."

That kind of conversation establishes good relations, always an important
thing. Or you may hint to him that he knows his business better than the
host, as thus:--

"I must have been in the wrong place that last beat. Not a single bird came
near me."

"Of course you were, Sir. I knew how it would be. I wanted you fifty yards
higher up, but Mr. CHALMERS, he would have you here. Lor, I've never known
birds break here. Now then, you boys, stop that chattering, or I sends you
all home. Seem to think they're out here to enjoy theirselves, instead of
doing as I tells 'em. Come, rattle your sticks!"

Thus are the little beaters and the stops admonished.

* * * * *

FROM A MODERN ENGLISH EXAMINATION-PAPER

_Which young Mr. D. Brown went in to floor, but which floored him._

_Question._ What is the meaning of "to deodorise." Give the derivation.

_Answer._ "To deodorise" is to gild the statue of a heathen deity.
Literally "to gild a god." This compound verb is derived from "_Deus_,"
dative "_Deo_," and the Greek verb "[Greek: dorixo], _i.e._ to gild."

_Q._ What is a "Manicure"? Give its derivation.

_A._ It is another term for a Mad Doctor. Its derivation is
obvious--"Maniac Cure." The last syllable of the first word being omitted
for the sake of convenience in pronunciation.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE COMING OF THE BOGEYS.

(_Mr. Punch's Dreadful New Year's Dream after a Surfeit of Mince Pies and
"Times" Correspondence._)]

* * * * *

THE COMING OF THE BOGEYS.

I had a Dream, which was not all a Dream.
(By Somnus and old Nox I fear 'twas _not_!)
Common-sense was extinguished, and Good Taste
Did wonder darkling on the verge of doom.
I saw a Monster, a malign, marine,
Mysterious, many-whorled, mug-lumbering Bogey,
Stretched (like Miltonian angels on the marl)
In league-long loops upon the billowy brine.
Beshrew thee, old familiar ocean Bogey,
Thou spectral spook of many Silly Seasons,
Beshrew thee, and avaunt! Which being put
In post-Shakspearian vernacular, means
Confound, you, and Get out!!! The monstrous worm
Wriggling its corkscrew periwinkly twists
Of trunk and tail alternate, winked huge goggles
Derisively and gurgled. "_Me_ get out,
The Science-vouched, and Literature-upheld,
And Reason-rehabilitated butt
Of many years of misdirected mockery?