t the news to the reader as private and confidential)
was--BARON LIONEL ROTHSCHILD, having examined the diadem, refused to
lend a single penny upon it. The real, original stones have been taken
out, but we understand the Pope has, in the handsomest manner, proposed
to supply other gems of far surpassing value--namely, no other than
half-a-dozen of the pebbles that stoned ST. STEPHEN himself.

* * * * *

THE SUPPORTERS OF AUSTRIA.

The arms of Austria are the eagle; the double-headed eagle. When,
however, we think of the paper currency of the house of
Hapsburgh--currency issued only to be dishonoured--the supporters of
Austria are surely not eagles, but--as NOKES, the wag upon 'Change,
says--_kites_.

* * * * *

HOW TO PAY YOUR TAXES.

"MR. PUNCH,

"Direct Taxation may be compensated for by cheapness; but it is very
painful. When we are compelled to pay a lot of money at once, we feel a
pang which the disbursement of twice as much distributed over a longer
period, in small additions to our expenditure, does not occasion. The
latter case resembles the gradual extraction of a single hair: the
former is equivalent to having a whole handful torn right out. You know
that you may lose a quantity of blood by frequent leeching, which, if
abstracted at once from your system, would make you faint. I am still
suffering from the recent payment of my assessed taxes; and shall not
lose the horrible sensation for a week. As to the Income-Tax--it has the
effect of a fine: a regular punishment. Couldn't these dreadful
penalties be paid by instalments? I declare I am almost determined the
next time I am forced to undergo one of them, to have myself put under
the influence of chloroform. I have sometimes thought of brandy instead;
but I have a generous weakness, which spirituous liquors are apt to
stimulate, and I am afraid that if I were to pay my Income-Tax in the
state I allude to, I should fling down a few guineas over the amount as
a voluntary contribution, overcome with enthusiastic devotion to my
QUEEN and Country.

"Yours, a severely plucked _September 29, 1853._" "MICHAELMAS GOOSE."

"P.S. If we have war, these taxes will become quite intolerable; and
chloroform will be absolutely necessary."

* * * * *

OUR SHABBY CONTEMPORARIES

[Illustration]

We have a bone to pick with our contemporaries. In reporting the speech
o