["Notwithstanding the efforts made by the Inns of Court Rifles, supported by the Authorities of the Inns, to increase the strength of the corps, the additional enrolments lately made have been judged by the War Office not sufficient to warrant the continued maintenance of the corps as an independent battalion; and orders have been given for its reduction from six to four companies, for the withdrawal of the Adjutant, and for the attachment of the corps to the 4th Middlesex Rifles."--_Daily Paper._] Oh, how bright were the days when we all of us saw In their martial equipment the limbs of the Law. With their helmets and rifles, and pouches complete, (May I quote from the ladies), they "really looked sweet." The Colonel, the Major, and all their attendants, Appeared not as counsel, since all were defendants; And no soldierly spirit could equal the Bar's, When Themis, its goddess, was mated with Mars. No more shall they charm us; harsh Fate with her shears Has severed the thread of the Law's Volunteers. And, whatever the cause was, 'twas certainly true That these fee-less defenders at last were too few. So now they're absorbed, and, no longer the same, They lose by attachment their being and name. And the old Devil's Own, from their discipline loosed, Have gone to their owner; _i.e._, they're _re-duced_. * * * * * ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPOKE. (_In the House and out of it._) The Parliamentary Committee appointed to consider the best mode of reporting in the House, have decided that it will be advisable to allow Members to have an opportunity of revising their speeches after they have been "taken down" verbatim. The result of this suggestion will probably be as follows:-- [Illustration: "Spoke? Rather!"] MR. SYMPLE-STUTTER'S SPEECH. (_Verbatim Report._) Mr. SPEAKER, Sir, What I mean to say, I venture to think is that the British Empire--yes Sir--that is what I venture to think, and _I_ am a young Member. For I do not believe--no not now--or in fact, when otherwise. For envy and malice are together. I venture to think that sometimes the British Empire. Yes Sir, for the enemies are at our gates with the past and the future. When the sun sinks--not that it follows--at least so I venture to think. You may believe me, Sir, that it is farthest from my thoughts when the British Empire and the sinking sun which I venture to think is--in point of fact the setting sun, and I venture to think the British Empire, and that is I venture to think was my proposal in the past--which has the terrors of the present from generation to generation. (_Revised Report._)