sin." We are not informed what sort of a basin we are
living in, but it appears to us to be something between a pudding-basin
and a slop-basin--judging from the mud and "slush" it generally
contains. Whatever may be the accurate name for the utensil in which we
are located, we can only say that it is a basin _of_ which we should be
glad to be able to wash our hands.

* * * * *

THE POWER OF EVIL.--A Power of Attorney.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE BONNET-MAKER'S DREAM.]

* * * * *

A REAL SCOTTISH GRIEVANCE.

Because we think that the Scotch Lion is quite as comfortable in the
place which custom has assigned him as he would be in any other; because
we consider that Scotland will do quite well enough without a separate
Secretary of State; because we are of opinion that Edinburgh should be
content to rank as the second city in the empire; because we are not of
opinion that the dictionary of DR. JOHNSON ought, to the vexation of the
author's _manes_, to be remodelled on a broad Scotch basis; because, in
short, we are not disposed to treat the imaginary wrongs of Scotchmen
otherwise than with our usual levity, we are not, therefore, disposed to
regard their well-founded complaints with any other feeling than our
occasional seriousness. Now we have--we cannot say the pleasure to
announce, for the announcement is one which we are grieved in having to
make--we have the pleasure, such as it is, of pointing out, and calling
attention to, with the view of causing to be redressed, A REAL SCOTTISH
GRIEVANCE.

The Scottish grievance which we thus proclaim to be real is one which,
we may say, should be framed and glazed. For it comes before us in the
shape of a lithograph--dedicated to us in conjunction with a daily paper
of some eminence--representing the Glasgow General Post Office; a
building of two stories in height, interjacent between MR. RUTHERFORD'S
cigar and snuff establishment, and the shop of MR. RUFF, clockmaker; a
portion of the party-wall of which last named edifice is exposed, by
reason of a very shameful circumstance, reflecting the discredit of
gross negligence and injustice on the Government, and, indeed, the
Legislature.

That injurious and disgraceful circumstance shall be stated in an
extract from a speech by SIR ARCHIBALD ALISON, which is printed beneath
the plate:--

"The revenue from the Post Office i