ess shirt-front. Thought at first he was a poet;
rather disappointing to find he's only a butcher. Whatever he be, he's
refreshing to the eye, wearied with monotony of last Parliament.

Writs moved for new Elections consequent on acceptance of Office.
Lobby seems full of new Whips, whom JACOB grimly eyes. CAUSTON with
unusually troubled look on manly brow. "What's the matter?" I asked.
"Afraid you'll be chucked?"

"Oh, no!" he said; "Southwark's safe enough. But they're such doose
of fellows down there. Remember at General Election one took me neat.
After I had made speech to crowded meeting, lot of questions put.
Answered them all satisfactorily. At last one fellow got up, asked
me, in voice of thunder, 'Are you, in favour of temperance?' Rather
ticklish thing that, you know. As many against it as for it. Looked
all round the room; seemed remarkably decent lot; the man who was
heckling me a little rubicund as to the nose; but that might be
indigestion. Anyhow, felt unless I could satisfy him, I'd lose his
vote. 'Are you in favour of temperance?' he roared again. 'Yes, I am;'
I said, heartily. 'Then I ain't!' he roared back; and stamped his
way out of the room. That's the sort of fellows they are down at
Southwark. Never know where you have 'em. Generally turns out they
have _you_."

_Business done._--Thunderstorm and Prorogation.

* * * * *

THE BUILDER AND THE ARCHITECT.

[Illustration]

The sun was shining on the fog,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The London day look bright--
And yet it seemed as though it were
The middle of the night.

The Builder and the Architect
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such eligible land:
"If this were only built upon,"
They said, "it _would_ be grand!"

"Oh, Tenants, come and live with us!"
The Builder did entreat,
"And take a little villa in
This countrified retreat,
Where stand straight rows of houses,
So very new and neat!"

The elder Tenants looked at him,
But never a word said they;
The elder Tenants winked their eyes,
As though they meant to say,
"Old birds, like we, are never caught
By chaff in such a way."

But four young Tenants hurried up,
Each eager to rent one;
Their looks were pale, their faces white,
Like muffins underdone--
Which was not odd, because, you know,
They never s