a potatoe?

* * * * *

A NOM DE GUERRE.--The French papers talk of ABERDEEN, _apropos_ of the
Turkish Question, as the "_ci-Divan jeune homme_."

* * * * *

CONSERVATIVES IN ILL ODOUR.

In whatever sense of the word the Corporation of London has conserved
the Thames, it has not made that river a conserve of roses.

* * * * *

CORPORATION TABLE TALK.

[Illustration: T]

The serious importance of Table Talking has been recognised by the City
of London Corporation Commission, who have examined, as a witness, one
of the Mansion House tables. The answers which they obtained by its
means are important, as bearing on the question of Aldermanic agency.

No sooner had the Commissioners placed their hands on the table than it
began to move, evidently not from any involuntary muscular action, for
to whatever extent those gentlemen pushed their inquiries, they did not
push the table.

The following interrogatories were then put to the table, which rapped
out the corresponding replies in the usual manner by striking with one
of its legs, once for the affirmative, and twice for the negative, or
giving the floor a knock at each of the several letters required to form
a word, as the Chairman ran his pencil over the Alphabet:--

1. How old are you? The table rapped so many times that the
Commissioners were tired, and directed it to stop, which it did.

2. Are you older than the oldest inhabitant?--Yes.

3. Did you know WALWORTH?--Intimately.

4. Was WHITTINGTON a man or a myth?--Both.

5. Was he LORD MAYOR OF LONDON?--Yes.

6. Three times?--Yes.

7. Used he and the Aldermen to dine together?--Sometimes.

8. What was the principal delicacy at their banquets?--Rapped out "Ox."

9. Was it roasted?--Yes.

10. Whole?--Yes.

11. With a pudding in its belly?--Yes.

12. Was there venison pasty?--Yes.

13. Did a Member of the Corporation ever eat a whole one?--Yes.

14. Name the individual?--Spelt "GOG."

15. Was he an Alderman?--Yes.

16. Who was MAGOG?--Rapped "Mace."

17. Do you mean that he was Macebearer?--Yes.

18. For what was he celebrated?--Drink.

19. How much would he imbibe at a sitting?--Answered "Hogsheads."

20. Of iced punch?--No. Of ale?--Yes. Of canary?--Yes. Of
Malvoisie?--Yes. Of each?--Yes.

21. Were statues erected to GOG and MAGOG to commemorate their
exploits?--Yes. In eating and drinking?