WALKING ROUND HIS SUBJECT.--In TAY PAY'S interesting review of _The Life of Lord Aberdeen_, a Book of the Week in the _Sun_, there is a delightful chord which shows that "the harp that once thro' Tara's halls" still upon occasion twangs. "It is pleasant," says TAY PAY, writing of Mr. GLADSTONE, "to be able to project ourselves backward to the time, when the statesman we know as full of years and the idol of millions, was the bashful, self-distrustful youth." Now, if next week our young friend, whose sympathy with bashful, self-distrustful youth, is instinctive, will manage to withdraw himself forward, he may be said to have thoroughly reconnoitered his subject, an excellent thing in a reviewer. * * * * * [Illustration: THE VILLAGE BEAUTY AND THE RIVAL SWAINS, F-WL-R AND G-SCH-N.] * * * * * [Illustration: ASSISTED EDUCATION. _Christabel._ "I SAY, JACK, HOW EVER DO YOU DEFINE THE EQUATOR?" _Jack_ (_who has been to the Circus_). "ISN'T IT A MENAGERIE LION THAT GOES ROUND THE WORLD?" [_Jack has learnt about "the Imaginary Line," and got the answer a little mixed._]] * * * * * THE VILLAGE BEAUTY AND THE RIVAL SWAINS. _An Easter Eclogue._ _Chloe_ Miss HODGE _Corydon_ H. H. F-WL-R _Strephon_ J. G. G-SCH-N. _Corydon_ (_smirking_). I have found out a gift for _my_ fair, Such as sugary SHENSTONE ne'er found! _Strephon_ (_aside, sniffing_). His bowpot's made up, I declare, Half of flowers he's filched from _my_ ground! _Chloe_ (_pirouetting_). Oh la! What a lovely bokay! That for _me!_ Oh, you're awfully kyind! _Corydon_ (_ogling_). Ah! I've loved you this many a day! _Strephon_ (_sighing_). And for years you've been first in my mind! _Chloe_ (_aside_). My! Isn't it nice to be courted like this? I believe I could buy 'em both up with a kiss! _Corydon_ (_gloating_). Love, you dance just as PERDITA danced! You must be a Princess in disguise. _Strephon_ (_aside_). And not long since he swore that she pranced Likes a clown who contends for a prize. _Chloe_ (_bridling_). _Me_ a Princess? Oh la! that's your fun. You know that my feyther was HODGE! _Strephon_ (_aside_). Of course; but, providing she's won, He'll descend to the paltriest dodge. _Corydon_ (_effusively_). You're the Pride of the Village, and fashioned to rule In the Cottage, the Council, the Church, and the School!