They took each other by the arm, As if in that there were a charm, In short they had had quite their fill. Sometimes a man who out was set Went through the swearing alphabet. Or p’r’aps he’d homeward start and sing. Then turning round to go, I said, “It’s after hours, I’ll home to bed, I will not wait the outward rush!” Just then the Bobby heard the din, And after knocking, entered in, Law passed into the House of Sin. Then suddenly the cornet stopped, The thrumming harp’s drear music dropped, The house it seemed its sails to furl. And down the long and noisy street The staggering legs of “whisky neat” Crawled headlong in a whirl. TRAMWAY TAME. _The Sporting Times._ June 13, 1885. ―――― A “ROSE” BALL. A Rose, or Maidens’ Ball took place, in July 1885, at Hyde Park House, which was lent for the occasion by Mrs. Naylor-Leyland. It was a complete success, in spite of the absence of Royalty. As a social gathering, it was the smartest dance of the season, while, from a girl’s point of view, there has been no ball in London to equal it for many a day. Each fair donor paid five pounds, for which she was allowed to ask five men, and in almost every case the favoured five put in an appearance; so instead of the dancing-rooms being filled with girls anxiously looking for partners, the tables were turned, and the black coats had to take their turn at playing wallflowers――an amusement, to judge from some of their remarks, that they did not all appreciate. Each maiden carried a bouquet of roses, and almost all the floral decorations were confined to various varieties of the same flower. Five-and-seventy maidens, free, Bent on dancing, one and all, Did some weeks ago decree They, themselves, would give a ball. Each, they said, would ask five men Who at waltzing were _au fait_. Settled was their project then, They had even fixed the day! Ah, miserie! For these dancing maidens found That a certain potent Prince, When he heard their details, frowned, His displeasure to evince. “This,” said he, “must not be so!” “That,” he quoth, “should not be thus!” Till the maidens’ tears did flow, As they murmured “Woe to us! Ah, miserie!” These same maidens, though, were wise, And soon ceased to weep or wince; Nor would they their plans revise, E’en to please a potent Prince, But resolved to merry be, Even though he would not come, Much enjoyed their dance, whilst he Had to moan in accents glum―― “Ah, miserie!” _Truth._ July 16, 1885. ―――― AN UN-ÆSTHETIC LOVE SONG. A barrel of beer and a glass of gin hot Are goodly gifts for me; For my own true love a half-gallon pot Filled to the brim with tea.