n, the British Lion at her side manifesting no
objection whatever)--the while a very hairy savage has a dagger upraised
at the EMPEROR'S back, and is evidently screwing himself up to "the
sticking place." There are mourning-coaches going to "take up" at
Windsor Castle, with other graphic amenities significant of what must
happen in the year 1854. And for this the enlightened MRS. POTTS (that
gypsey is still with SUSAN in the kitchen) has given two-and-sixpence;
and that too with the mighty resolution of getting her good half-crown's
worth out of it. Well, MRS. POTTS begins with January, turning very pale
as she learns this fact:--

"_The square of_ VENUS _and_ SATURN _denotes severe affliction to a
lady of the highest rank_. The tranquillity of France is disturbed;
much excitement reigns in Paris, Lyons, Toulouse, and Rome. Turkey
and the regions of the Tigris and Euphrates are sorely afflicted."

This lady--whoever she may be--has very sore afflictions throughout
twelvemonth; but then RAPHAEL must earn his half-crown's worth.

In February, MRS. POTTS is informed--(and thinks with a shiver of little
WILHELMINA who has not yet had the scarlet fever)--in February:

"MARS retrogrades to the opposition of the Moon in the radix of the
PRINCESS ALICE, and indicates a liability to feverish complaint or
accident."

MRS. POTTS has conjugal fears for the health of POTTS, and resolves to
insist upon gutta percha soles. In March--

"The retrogradation of MARS in VIRGO in opposition to VENUS, also
_retrogade in_ PISCES, _will stir up civil broils in Portugal;
treachery and conspiracies amongst the priesthood are directed
against the_ QUEEN _and Government of that country_."

Already, the poor QUEEN OF PORTUGAL sleeps in the tomb of the BRAGANZAS;
but even RAPHAEL cannot be always infallible; not even for half-a-crown!

April is big with events; or rather with one event that must swallow up
every other. MRS. POTTS is a playgoer, and with the sensibility of her
sex, would "ten to one rather see the _Corsican Brothers_ than
_Hamlet_." Therefore she reads the subjoined with corresponding
perturbation.

"Scandal or death awaits one renowned in the theatrical world."

This is in April! Perhaps on the first of April? It cannot be BARRY, the
deathless Clown, who shall be snatched from us? If, then, it should be
the--the--the "renowned"--but no! we will not, we _cannot_ think of it!