_Q._ Yes. And what would you say of MARIE DE MEDICIS, who is reported to have fired at the Huguenots from the Louvre? _A._ I should say that her late Majesty took such an interest in field sports, as nowadays would have secured her election to the Gun Club. _Q._ And, lastly, were you asked to describe HENRY THE EIGHTH after he had slaughtered most of his wives, plundered all the monasteries, and imprisoned or executed many of his subjects, what would you call him? _A._ Without hesitation I should refer to him as "an excited politician." * * * * * "CONTINUOUS-SOUNDING MACHINES."--Lots of 'em on view in the House of Commons. But, for the genuine article, consult a "Colomb" of the _Times_. * * * * * "I love those cradle-songs," said Mrs. R. "The other day I heard--I forget who it was--sing a most charming _alibi_." * * * * * [Illustration: A LULLABY. NURSE G. (_sings_). "'O HUSH THEE, MY BABY, TAKE REST WHILE YOU MAY'"---- (_To himself._) "AND NOW I MUST GO AND LOOK AFTER THE OTHERS!"] * * * * * [Illustration] TO SERAPHINE. Through happy years, that number now I ween A dozen, or--to be correct--thirteen, My comfortable better-half you've been, O SERAPHINE! The ups and downs of life we two have seen-- From Camberwell, of stucco-fronted mien, To quaintly-decorated Turnham Green, O SERAPHINE! Till Grandma's money came with golden sheen, You lent a hand at SARAH'S weekly clean, And did not tilt your nose at margarine, O SERAPHINE! And now that I've been made a Rural Dean, Your figure is no longer slim, my Queen; You'd scarcely make a graceful _ballerine_, O SERAPHINE! But after dinner as you doze each e'en, From your disjointed mutterings I glean Your mind is running on a crinoline, O SERAPHINE! Oh, let me not appear to speak with spleen-- Yet pause!--nor go to Madame ANTONINE To get yourself a--_you know what I mean_, O SERAPHINE! For if that huge and hideous machine Should thrust its bilious bulginess between A blameless couple, such as we have been, My SERAPHINE, I will not condescend to make a "scene," But--if you needs _must_ have your crinoline-- Good-bye!--you cannot have your Rural Dean, O SERAPHINE! * * * * * DER COPHETUALISCHEHOCHZEITVEREIN. ["In Vienna a Club has been formed among young men of fashion for the encouragement of marriage with poor girls."--_James Payn, in "Illustrated News."_] O youth of Wien, what does this mean? Can you forget you are All _hochgeboren_ as of yore Was King COPHETUA? To wed a lot of girls _sans dot_ Is strange, and yet you are No more afraid of beggar maid Than King COPHETUA.