Let honesty be the drug in the market, and the rare herb dishonesty will be at a premium. It is gratifying to be assured, on aldermanic authority, that SHAKSPEARE was wrong, and that in future for _Hamlet's_ well-known dictum, "For to be honest as this world goes is to be as one man picked out of ten thousand," we must read "For to be dishonest as this world goes is to be as one man picked out of ten thousand." Happy Alderman DAVIES! In what paradisiacal pastures must he have moved and breathed and earned his livelihood! * * * * * CIRCLING THE SQUARE. Standing awhile at the corner crossing, Watching a van as it lumbers past, Something impels me to turn and saunter Down to the Square, where I met you last. Down to the Square with its formal garden Slowly I pace--yet I scarce know why; Somehow I never have since been near it, Things have all changed since last July! There is the gate, where you fumbled sadly Turning the key--though I lent my aid-- There are the paths, where we strolled in sunshine, There is our seat in the chestnut shade. Borders all empty, and paths uncared for, Bleak, bare branches, and murky sky-- This is the "garden I love" no longer, How it has changed since last July! All that we spoke of, or left unspoken, All that our tongues or our eyes could say Comes to me now, as the Square I circle, Clear as events but of yesterday. Vain to remember, to care still vainer, You have been married a month, and I-- I'm a misogynist--just at present, How we have changed since last July! * * * * * [Illustration: "FULL SPEED AHEAD!" _Britannia_ (_to Lord Spencer_). TO "HEAR OLD TRITON BLOW HIS WREATHÈD HORN," MY SPENCER, IN _THIS_ CLEAR DETERMINED MANNER, IS SPIRIT-GLADDENING; SHOWING YOU WERE BORN TO BACK MY POWER AND UPBEAR MY BANNER! ] * * * * * "FULL SPEED AHEAD!" ["The essential thing is that the party now in office has loyally followed the example of the party in opposition, and, 'neglecting party considerations, and provincial interests, has,' as the Civil Lord claimed for it, 'risen to the full height of its Imperial responsibilities.'"--_The "Times" on the Navy Estimates._] _Britannia_ (_cheerily_). To "hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn," My SPENCER, in _this_ clear determined manner, Is spirit-gladdening; showing you were born To back my power and upbear my banner! _Triton-Spencer._ You do me proud, Ma'am! _Rootle-tootle-too!_ Foghorns not in it, eh? As for those sirens!-- Aha! Ulysses made a great to-do, But by the blue brine that your coast environs _Our_ marine music beats'em out of sight! _Britannia._ Especially now you blare so well together You rival conch-performers. Ah! that's right. _Now_ I'm prepared for any sort of weather! _Triton-Spencer sings_:--