ROYAL REWARDS TO GOOD PLAYERS.--"As a sequel to the performance of _Becket_ at Windsor, Mr. IRVING"--as we were informed by the _Daily News_--"was presented by the QUEEN with a stud." What will he do with the stud? Will he take to the turf, go racing, and keep the stud at some Newmarket training-stables? Perhaps "the stud" consisted of fifty "ponies"--but this is a purse-an'-all matter, into which we are not at liberty to inquire. Miss ELLEN TERRY received a brooch from HER MAJESTY, on which are the letters "V.R.I." Our 'ARRY says these initials signify "_Ve Are 'I_ghly pleased." Or, taking the two presents together, as speaking, V.R.I, might mean, says 'ARRY, "_Ve R-Ived safely._" * * * * * LION AND LAMB. ["I think that when we consider an Opposition, in which Lord SALISBURY and Mr. CHAMBERLAIN pacifically sit down--or lie down, together, we need not, ourselves, feel very sensitive on the subject of homogeneity."--_Mr. Gladstone at the F. O. Liberal Meeting._] Solly had a little Lamb, From Brummagem you know! And wheresoever SOLLY went That Lamb was bound to go. The Lion and the Lamb in fact! And what could be more jolly? Yet some _do_ whisper that--sometimes-- The Lamb seems leading SOLLY. * * * * * "WHAT HO, APOTHECARY!"--Last week the Earl of BESSBOROUGH was announced as having arrived at Bessborough, Pilltown, Ireland. What an appropriate spot for erecting an Irish Apothecaries' Hall! What is Lord BESSBOROUGH'S family name? Is it The O'COCKLE? * * * * * THE AUTHOR. It lay on the book-stall for sale, But no one to purchase seemed willing, The ticket was "Humorous Tale, Two-and-sixpence--reduced to a shilling." But the humour was lost upon me. And the jest fell uncommonly flat. Could the jokes I had written then be So fallen in value as that? * * * * * THE FIRST DUTY OF AN OPPOSITION (_As it now seems to be understood_).--"To lie in cool Obstruction, and talk rot."--(_Shakspeare_--slightly _adapted_.) * * * * * MODERN TRANSLATION BY OUR YOUNGEST SPORTING ETONIAN.--"_In forma pauperis_"--_i.e._, "in rather poor form." * * * * * AT AN AFTERNOON ENTERTAINMENT. SCENE--_Prince's Hall, Piccadilly. Among the Audience are_--A London Aunt, _and her_ Eldest Daughter, _with a_ Cousin from the Country, _who is just a little difficult to amuse; a_ Serious-minded Lady _from Brixton, with a more frivolous_ Friend; _a pair of_ Fiances; _and an_ Unsophisticated Father, _with an_ Up-to-date little Daughter. _An exhibition of "Pure Sleight-of-Hand" has just been given on the Stage._ _The Serious Lady._ Clever? Yes, my dear, it is _clever_ enough, if that's all; but I never can quite reconcile _my_ conscience to encouraging a fellow-creature to make a living by deliberate deception!