There's gladness in remembrance, JOHN; Your pencil-strokes struck true; Through all the shifts of party life, No pause that pencil knew. We've missed old comrades one by one; Our friendship moults no feather; _Can_ forty years and more have run Since we were "boys" together? Since we were boys, merry, merry boys, At our old Board together! I gaze and proudly ponder, JOHN; I've seen them all before-- GLADSTONE, BRIGHT, DIZZY, BULL!--Well done!!! Fresh as in days of yore The Big Cuts gleam. By sea and stream, Moor, mountain, ice-field, heather. Force, grace, fair fun mark all you've done, Since we were "boys" together. _Chorus all "Round the Mahogany Tree."_ Since we were boys, merry, merry boys! So meet we, in full feather, For many sunny years, Sir JOHN, Still boys--at heart--together! * * * * * [Illustration: FANCY PORTRAIT. SIR G-RGE L-W-S. "BOLD OF YOUR WORTHINESS, WE SINGLE YOU AS OUR BEST-MOVING FAIR SOLICITOR." _Love's Labour's Lost_, Act II., Sc. 1. ] * * * * * THE LAY OF THE LITTLE MINORITY. AIR--"_Little Buttercup._" I'm bumptious Minority--cocky Minority (Though I can hardly tell why), My work is to worry poor weary Majority, Giving him one in the eye. On Board or on Council I swagger and bounce 'll, And badger 'em out of their lives. I claim all the graces, and all the best places; Thus cocky Minority thrives! Majorities little of claim have no tittle To getting _their_ own wicked way; But cocky Minority has such authority, _His_ should be absolute sway. If things are at evens at--well, say St. Stephen's, Spring Gardens, wherever you like, Tis a mere deadlock (like New Woman wedlock), And against Progress we strike. If a Majority (small) claims authority To make the tiniest move, Then to prevent it, obstruct, circumvent it, Must be my labour of love. But a Minority's superiority Is just as clear as the day. Majorities (small) have one duty, that's all, 'Tis--_to let the Minority sway!_ Then yield to Minority--cocky Minority, On Boards or of Council or School! Hooray for Minority--bumptious Minority! Come--let Minority rule! * * * * * OUR NEXT LITTLE BATTLE. (_From our Prophetic Reporter, a trifle in advance._) NOWHAR, _April 1_.--Wett River crossed yesterday in most brilliant style. Dashaway Regiment carried landing at point of bayonet, the Muffs keeping up well-directed fire during the entire operation. However, they seemed to feel effect of our artillery and Maxims. [Illustration]