_Gentleman (reads)._ "'INTELLIGENT; STRONG RELIGIOUS FEELINGS; FOND OF LITTLE CHILDREN; LOVES MUSIC, POETRY, AND THE FINE ARTS; IS RELUCTANT TO TAKE OFFENCE, GENEROUS AND FORGIVING.'--WELL, I'M BLOWED, IF THAT AIN'T WONDERFUL! WHY, ITS MY KARACTER TO A T!"] [Illustration: _AN INGENIOUS FELLOW._ "LOOK HERE, MY BOY! THE BOX MAKES A CAPITAL TABLE, AND THE BOOT IS JUST THE THING FOR YOUR LEGS." [_Pocket-book disappears._] [Illustration: _A WEIGHTY MATTER._ _Cavalry Officer (who rides about five stone)._ "I'M DOOCED GLAD WE'RE IN THE HEAVIES; AIN'T YOU, CHARLEY? IT WOULD BE A HORRID BORE TO BE SENT OUT TO THE CAPE LIKE THOSE POOR LIGHT BOBS."] [Illustration: _OUR YOUNG PEOPLE._ _Juvenile._ "I TELL YOU WHAT IT IS, GOVERNOR, THE SOONER WE COME TO SOME UNDERSTANDING THE BETTER. YOU CAN'T EXPECT A YOUNG FELLER TO BE ALWAYS AT HOME; AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY I GO ON, WHY I MUST HAVE CHAMBERS, AND SO MUCH A-WEEK?"] [Illustration: _A PERSONAL OPINION._ _Elderly Spinster._ "SO, YOU'RE GOING TO BE MARRIED, DEAR, ARE YOU? WELL, FOR MY PART, I THINK NINE-HUNDRED-AND-NINETY-NINE MARRIAGES OUT OF A THOUSAND TURN OUT MISERABLY; BUT OF COURSE EVERY ONE IS THE BEST JUDGE OF THEIR OWN FEELINGS."] [Illustration: _LITTLE WOMEN._ _First Matron._ "HAS YOUR DOLL HAD THE MEASLES, AMELIA? MINE HAS--" _Second Matron._ "NO, DEAR, BUT IT'S BEEN VERY FRACTIOUS ABOUT ITS TEETH, AND I'M GOING TO GIVE IT A LITTLE GREY POWDER."] [Illustration: MR. BRIGGS'S PLEASURES OF FISHING. No. 1. _OUR FRIEND BRIGGS CONTEMPLATES A DAY'S FISHING._] [Illustration: _A GROSS OFFENCE._ _Flunkey._ "HOW DARE YOU BRING ME A STEEL FORK, SIR!"] [Illustration: _CAUGHT._ _Domestic (soliloquising)_. "WELL! I'M SURE MISSUS HAD BETTER GIVE THIS NEW BONNET TO ME, INSTEAD OF STICKING SUCH A YOUNG-LOOKING THING UPON HER OLD SHOULDERS." (_The impudent minx has immediate warning_)] [Illustration: _STREET DIALOGUE._ _First Boy._ "I'LL PUNCH YER ED, IF YER SAY MUCH." _Second Boy._ "WHO'LL PUNCH MY ED?"--_First Boy._ "I WILL." _Second Boy._ "_YOU_ WILL?"--_First Boy._ "YES, _I_ WILL." _Second Boy._ "WELL!--DO IT."--_First Boy._ "AH!" _Second Boy._ "YES!"--_First Boy._ "OH!" [_Boys evaporate._] [Illustration: _A PRUDENT RESOLVE._ _'Ousemaid._ "WELL, MR. ROBERT, I SUPPOSE YOU'LL BE OFF TO THE DIGGINGS ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE GENTLEMEN?" _Flunkey._ "NOT IF I KNOWS IT, MARY, MY DEAR. I AIN'T BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO FIZZICAL EXERTION; AND I DON'T INTEND TO BEGIN HARD WORK AT MY TIME OF LIFE."] [Illustration: _USED UP._ _Grandmamma._ "WHY, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MY PET?" _Child._ "WHY, GRANDMA, AFTER GIVING THE SUBJECT EVERY CONSIDERATION, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT--THE WORLD IS HOLLOW, AND MY DOLL IS STUFFED WITH SAWDUST. SO--I--SHOULD--LIKE--IF YOU PLEASE, TO BE A NUN!"] [Illustration: MR. BRIGGS'S PLEASURES OF FISHING. No. II. _MR. BRIGGS STARTS ON HIS FISHING EXCURSION._] [Illustration: No. III.