e
proceedings at the last meeting consisted of a rather dull duett,
between the Archbishop's commissioner and his Grace's registrar. The
latter in a lengthened solo gave the whole writ of prorogation at full
length, and the former chimed in at the conclusion with an announcement
that the business of the day was ended. The scene of this melancholy
farce is always the Jerusalem Chambers. It would perhaps give life to
the scene if MR. COOK would lend from ASTLEY'S a Jerusalem pony or two
by way of affording a little fit companionship to the commissioner and
registrar, who must be rather sick of each other, and might be glad to
welcome a little congenial society. The addition we have suggested might
be sanctioned, under the plea that the Vicar of Bray would then have a
representative.

* * * * *

OUR CITY ARTICLE.

[Illustration: T]

The present financial crisis appears to demand from _Mr. Punch_ one of
those Money Articles with which he has stepped forward in other times of
difficulty, and which have instantly restored stability and confidence.
Regardless, therefore, of his own personal comfort, he attended the
Stock Market one day during the past week.

_Mr. Punch_ was struck by the exceeding helplessness of the gentlemen in
whose hands is the political thermometer, better known as the Funds.
They displayed an avidity in grasping at the slightest hint, which was
only equalled by the hurry with which they sprang away to do something,
before they comprehended the real bearing of the information. Indeed, if
these gentlemen of the Stock Exchange waited until they understood the
actual tendency of the events upon which they deal, some of them might
wait long enough. _Mr. Punch_ casually remarked to a friend that
"ABERDEEN was out this morning," and there was a rush of fifty men eager
to buy on account of the good news. Had they paused to hear _Mr. Punch_
add, "walking in Kensington Gardens," they might have spared their
trouble. Subsequently, the same gentleman was heard to say, "Not so
tight as it was." Away hurried the correspondents of the papers, and
told everybody that the tightness of the market was disappearing. _Mr.
Punch_ merely alluded to his hat, which had been a little uncomfortable
until he had his hair cut. "Will open flatly," an observation _Mr.
Punch_ simply applied to the Princess's Theatre, was construed into a
prophecy of the state of the Market next day, and business was