Who was the lion of the ground? Who gain’d the first prize of five pound For well-developed limbs, and round? My Billy. _3rd Mother._―― And who was it, all cloth’d in red, Who for a month had been well fed On rice, and oil, and oatmeal bread? My Jimmy. _4th Mother._―― But who was it, with teeth like pearl, And bright blue eyes, and sunny curl, Was judged to be “the prettiest girl?” My Jemimar. (_Hysterical, unlooked for, and utterly-out-of-place, Chorus of Mothers_): Singing: “Ri-tol-looral, lal-looral, lal-looral, lal la!” _The Shilling Book of Beauty._ Edited by CUTHBERT BEDE, 1856. [Mrs. Gamp’s feelings are doubtless strong on this subject, and may be shared in, for aught we know, (though we very much doubt it), by a large number of “the women of England.” But we must confess that our feelings are so strongly opposed to these “Baby Shows”――which we think are cruel, degrading and disgusting exhibitions――that we should not have given insertion to Mrs. Gamp’s poetical effusion, had not Lady Slipslop kindly furnished us with an antidote, which will be found in the article next ensuing.――Ed. S. B. of B.] ――――:o:―――― LINES BY A GIRL OF THE FUTURE TO A GIRL OF THE PERIOD. Who taught me that our English ways, So highly prized in former days, In her time only bred amaze? My Mother. Whose ev’ry action went to show That homely virtues were all slow, And fit but for the mean and low? My Mother. That girls of spirit ne’er should care For aught on earth save what they wear, Short skirts――high heels――and false dyed hair? My Mother. That thoroughly they should despise All plodding, dull, domestic ties, Know naught of pickles, or of pies? My Mother. That always they should imitate Young men in slangy talk and gait, As bashfulness was out of date? My Mother. That hearts were to be weigh’d ’gainst gold, Not love, as was the case of old And to the highest bidder sold? My Mother. And that when wed, all girls should learn Base thoughts of stupid thrift to spurn And spend much more than husbands earn? My Mother. _Girl of the Period Miscellany_, April, 1869. ――――:o:―――― OUR BISHOPS. 1. Who follow Christ with humble feet, And rarely have enough to eat, Who “Misereres” oft repeat?―― Our Bishops. 2.