"It is gratifying to find oneself appreciated at last," said the Cabbage, when the Cigar Merchant labelled him as a Cabaña. * * * * * "Don't talk to _me_ about Cactus," said the Ostrich contemptuously to the Camel. "Insipid stuff, _I_ call it! No--for real flavour and delicacy, give me a pair of Sheffield scissors!" * * * * * "The accommodation might be more luxurious, it's true," remarked the philosophic Mouse, when he found himself in the Trap, "but, after all, it's not as if I was going to stay here _long_!" * * * * * "People tell me he can shine when he chooses," said the Extinguisher of the Candle. "All _I_ know is, he's positively dull whenever he's with _me_!" * * * * * There was once a Musical Box which played but one tune, to which its owner was never weary of listening. But, after a time, he desired a novelty, and could not rest until he had exchanged the barrel for another. However, he sickened of the second tune sooner than of the first, and so he exchanged it for a third, which he liked not at all. Accordingly he commanded that the Box should return to the first tune of all--and lo! this had become an abomination unto his ears, nor could he conceive how he had ever been able to endure it! So the Musical Box was laid upon the shelf, and the Owner procured for himself a cheap mouth-organ which could play any air that was suggested to it, and thus became an established favourite. _Note._--This is apparently designed to illustrate the ficklety of the Musical Character.--H. B. J. * * * * * "_Do_ come in!" snapped the severed Shark's Head to the Ship's Cat. "As you perceive, I am carrying on business as usual during the alterations." * * * * * The Bulbul had no sooner finished her song than the Bullfrog began to make profuse apologies for having left his music at home. * * * * * To a Butterscotch Machine the Penny and the Tin Disc are alike. _Note._--Surely not if an official is looking on!--H. B. J. * * * * * "My dears," said the Converted Cannibal reverently to his Wife and Family, as they sat down to their Baked Missionary, "do not let us omit to ask a blessing!" * * * * * There is but one Singer whom it is futile to encore--and that is a Dying Swan. * * * * * "I am doing a series of 'Notable Nests' for 'Sylvan Society,'" said the insinuating Serpent, on finding the Ringdove at home, "and I should so much like to include _you_." "You are very kind," said the Ringdove, in a flutter, "but I can assure you that there is no more in my poor little eggs than in any other bird's!" "That may be," replied the Serpent, "but I must live _somehow_!" * * * * *