_Patient_ (_cured, and leaving the hospital--to Nurse_). "I THANK YOU KINDLY, MISS, FOR ALL YOUR GOODNESS--I SHALL NEVER FORGET IT! IF EVER THERE WAS A FALLEN HANGEL _YOU_'RE ONE!"] * * * * * JOHN STUART BLACKIE. (_Died at Edinburgh, Saturday, March 2, 1895, in his 86th year._) Thou brave old Scot! And art thou gone? How much of light with thee's departed! Philosopher--yet full of fun, Great humorist--yet human-hearted; A Caledonian--yet not dour, A scholar--yet not dry-as-dusty; A pietest--yet never sour! O, stout and tender, true and trusty Octogenarian optimist, The world for thee seemed aye more sunny. We loved thee better for each twist Which streaked a soul as sweet as honey. We shall not see _thy_ like again! We've fallen on times most queer and quacky, And oft shall miss the healthy brain And manly heart of brave old BLACKIE! * * * * * MRS. R. says she wouldn't miss the Naval and Military at Sandown for anything. * * * * * [Illustration: USEFUL HINT. (_For surmounting the Snow-drifts whenever they may be, as they have been till quite recently, heaped up behind most of the Fences._) _Sportsman_ (_with Spade_). "WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT IT FOR THE WORLD, OLD CHAP! HAD TO DIG MYSELF OUT NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES TO-DAY!"] * * * * * IN THE COURT OF COMMON SENSE (LATE PLEAS). (_Before Mr. Justice Reason._) His Lordship asked whether _Brown_ v. _Jones_ was ready? _Mr. Bands._ No, my Lord. I am requested by my learned friend, Mr. WIGGE (who is in the Strand), to say that unfortunately---- _His Lordship_ (_interrupting_). Oh, very well! if the parties do not take sufficient interest in the matter to appear here at the proper time, I shall assume that the whole affair is frivolous, and strike it out. Next case please. A Mr. SMITH rose in the body of the Court and said that he appeared in person. _His Lordship._ Is the defendant here? _Mr. Bands._ I appear for the defendant, my Lord, Mr. SNOOKS. Allow me to say that---- _His Lordship_ (_interrupting_). No, no, Mr. BANDS; your turn will come by-and-by. I will hear what the plaintiff has to say first. Now you, Sir--I mean Mr. SMITH--what is it all about? The plaintiff then entered into a lengthy narrative of certain negotiations about the purchase of a house. _His Lordship_ (_interrupting_). Do you want to buy the place, now? _Mr. Smith._ No, my Lord, at least---- _His Lordship._ You said no, and I suppose you meant what you said. And now, Mr. BANDS, does you client want to sell the house? _Mr. Bands_ (_promptly_). Certainly not, my Lord; but perhaps you will allow me to explain. _His Lordship._ Explanation absolutely unnecessary. No order, and Mr. SNOOKS, as he has gone to the expense of instructing (to my mind absolutely unnecessarily) counsel, will have the pleasure of paying for the luxury. Next case.