_A._ Certainly, and if a litigant please, he or she (for sex makes no difference) can become his or her own advocate. _Q._ When a litigant prefers to conduct a case in person, does the proceeding invariably save expense? _A._ Not invariably, because a litigant may have odd views about the importance of evidence and the time of professional advisers. _Q._ When a litigant is afflicted with this lack of knowledge what is the customary result? _A._ That the defendants have to undergo the expense of a several-days' trial with counsel to match. _Q._ Supposing that a journalist, sharply but justly, criticises the actions of a man of straw--what can the man of straw do? _A._ With the aid of some speculative Solicitor, he can commence an action for libel. _Q._ What benefit does the speculative Solicitor obtain? _A._ The speculative Solicitor, if he can persuade a judge and jury to agree, will get his costs, and if the journalist wins he will find that the prosecutor or plaintiff is, indeed, a man of straw. _Q._ Is there any redress? _A._ None; but a wise journalist will never criticise sharply. * * * * * THE PICK OF THE R.A. PICTURES. No. 2. No. 139. _Ca donne a penser._ Not a more suggestive pose does any portrait possess throughout the Galleries. It is described _tout court_ as "ALBERT BRASSEY, Esq.," and 'tis the work (and the pleasure) of W. W. OULESS, R.A. "'Tis a fine work!" says BOB to 'ARRY. "O' course," returns 'ARRY JOKER. "Great! _'Ow less_ could be expected of 'im tho', I dun no." It represents an undecided moment in Mr. ALBERT BRASSEY'S life. It is as if he were Mr. "_All but_" BRASSEY, and wasn't quite certain of what he should do next. There is the writing-desk,--shall he indite a letter? If he does so, shall he take off his thick-fur coat? Or shall he go hunting, since he has on, underneath the furrin' fur, the pink of hunting perfection? Likewise he has his whip and his horn, also his boots! He's "got 'em on!" He's "got 'em _all_ on!" Or shall he hail the 5,000-ton yacht that's lying in the roads just a few yards from his open window, and go out for a cruise? He looks happy, but puzzled. [Illustration: No. 543. _The_ Picture of the Year. Lamp-light reading; or, Mr. Punch among the Pretty Pets. "_Dulce est dissipere in joco_." H. H. La Thangue.] No. 167. _The Right Hon. H. H. Fowler, M.P._ "Presentation Portrait," painted by ARTHUR S. COPE. "When the Right Hon. Gentleman rose to speak, the House, with the exception of a clerk at the table and two small boys (whose presence within the precincts has never been satisfactorily accounted for) was empty."--_Extract from The Imaginary Times Parliamentary Report of that date._ No. 350. _Mrs. Keeley at the age of Eighty-six._ Looking so well and sprightly, that the Artist must have been at considerable pains to induce her to sit still just one moment for her portrait. Long may she remain with us! Our compliments to the Artist, JULIA B. FOLKARD.