ent HOME SECRETARY is evidently determined to keep his
department in order, and may doubtless be depended upon for making Home
tolerable to a poor woman, in as far as he can, by warranting her such
protection as a cat-o'-nine-tails can afford against the ferocity of a
brutal husband.

* * * * *

THAT'S THE WAY THE MONEY GOES.

A law-suit has lately been reported in all the papers, with the
appropriate heading of "MONEY _versus_ MONEY." Considering that law is
generally the madness of many for the gain of the few--namely the
lawyers--we think Money against Money would be a good title to almost
every cause that is tried.

* * * * *

THE LORDSHIP OF LONDON.

The pageant of the "LORD OF MISRULE" was one of the zanyisms of the
middle ages. The thing, if not the name, still survives in the LORD
MAYOR'S Show.

* * * * *

A DECIDED FOOL.--The man is a fool who, when asked for his candid
opinion, gives it.

* * * * *

THE SCOTCH PEERAGE IN PERIL.

[Illustration: S]

Scotland, having begun to complain of its wrongs, seems in danger of
being inundated by incessant showers of grievances. We cannot be
surprised that Scotland should itch to have her injuries redressed; and
we have now another to add to the long catalogue of complaints that have
recently issued from the North Britishers. The following paragraph from
the _Spectator_ of last week brings to light a new calamity:--

"The floor of the picture gallery in Holyrood Palace is become so
rotten and unsafe, that when Peers assemble to elect a
representative, the greatest caution is requisite to prevent
disaster. The Commissioners of Woods and Forests are about to
provide the proper remedy of a new floor."

It is evident from the above account, that there is something very
rotten in the foundation which the Scotch Peers have to rest upon. It
would seem that when the Scotch lairds assemble to elect a
representative, they are obliged to "tread softly," not because theirs
is "hallowed ground," but because it is crumbling away like the
rottenest specimen of a Pierage which the banks of the Thames, with its
tottering tiers of worn-out barges, could furnish. We can imagine the
heavy Scotch Peers proceeding to an election with such caution, as to be
compelled to avoid every hole in the floor, lest any of them should
inadverten