it about with them in
snuff-boxes, they are sure to be subject to the importunities of the man
who carries no snuff box.

* * * * *

BUFFOON'S NATURAL HISTORY.

SIR EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, who, like Byron, (in this one instance only)
"wanted a hero," had the good fortune to lay his hands upon the history of
the celebrated George Barrington of picking-pocket notoriety. That worthy,
describing the progress he made for the good of his country, related some
strange particulars of a foreign bird, called the Secretary, or
Snake-eater, which Sir Edward, from his knowledge of the natural history
of his friend John Wilson Croker, declares to be the immediate connecting
link between the English Admiralty Secretary, or "Toad-eater."

* * * * *

"NOT EXACTLY."

"Have you been much at sea?"

"Why no, _not exactly_; but my brother married an admiral's daughter!"

"Were you ever abroad?"

"No, _not exactly_; but my mother's maiden name was 'French.'"

* * * * *

FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER.

[A letter has found its way into our box, which was evidently
intended for the Parisian _Courrier des Dames_; but as the
month is so far advanced, we are fearful that the communication
will be too late for the purposes of that fashionable journal. We
have therefore with unparalleled liberality inserted it in PUNCH,
and thus conferred an immortality on an ephemera! It is worthy of
remark that the writer adopts the style of our foreign fashionable
correspondents, who invariably introduce as much English as French
into their communications.]

_Rue de Dyotte_,

_Derriere les Slommes a Saint Gilles_.

MON JOVIAL ANCIEN COQ.

_Les swelles de Londres_ have now determined upon the winter fashions,
subject only to such modifications as their wardrobes render imperative,
_et y vont comme des Briques_. Butchers' trays continue to be worn on the
shoulders; and sprats may be found very generally upon the heads of the
_poissonnieres-faggeuses de la Porte de Billing_. Short pipes are much
patronised by architects' assistants, and are worn either in the hatband
or the side of the mouth, _et point d'erreur_. A few black eyes have been
seen _dans la Rookerie_; but these facial ornaments will not be general
until after boxing-day, _quand ils le deviendront bien forts_. Highlows
and anklejacks[6] are still patronised