Double rows of iron hurdles, surmounted by _chevaux-de-frise_, have been
placed by these magnanimous dignitaries across the aisles of the
Cathedral.

We are sorry to say that a correspondent, writing from Winchester, is so
disrespectful as to suggest a motive for the erection of these barriers
of a nature unclerical, if not unworthy. He supposes that the reverend
gentry of the Close have taken to sporting, and as neither custom, nor
the agriculturists to whom the meadows belong, would allow them to ride
steeple-chases in the valley of the Itchen, they have set up
"bullfinchers" within their own bounds, in order to prosecute the chase
of the steeple within the church.

* * * * *

_PUNCH_ THE ONLY RECOGNISED PROMOTER OF LITERATURE.

A wholesome caution has just been administered to self-styled Literary
Institutions, which claim exemption from Poor Rate by the assumption of
a title which they do not carry out. At the Bath Quarter Sessions a set
of persons calling themselves the Bath Literary and Scientific
Institution, had the effrontery to make a claim to freedom from
taxation; and on the question being put to one of the witnesses--"Is
_Punch_ taken in at the Institution?" the reply was in the negative.
This of course settled the point as to the Society being one for the
advancement of literature; and the Sessions instantly decided against
the claim.

We hope Literary Societies in general will take a note of this important
decision, which lays it down, on legal authority, that the taking in of
_Punch_ is satisfactory evidence of an intention to promote literature.
The Bath chaps who sought exemption on insufficient grounds, have
received a lesson which we trust will not be lost on those who fail to
"mind their _Punch_," and who fancy themselves promoters of literature
without qualifying themselves by that test which is now recognised by a
legal tribunal as decisive, and will, we hope, find its way into "the
Books" as soon as possible.

* * * * *

THE CITY COAXING THE CROWN.

Those renowned gourmands, the Corporation of the City of London, have
got up a new dish, in the hope that it may prove a "pretty dish to set
before the QUEEN;" adulation dished up as a sort of curry or attempt at
currying of favour with an illustrious Prince. By their proposal to
erect a statue to PRINCE ALBERT during his lifetime, they will not,
however, succeed in the scheme of