"One who takes three years of practice to earn a quarter of chambers' rent" suggests that "The Devil's Own" should adopt as its regimental motto, "Retained for the Defence." Considering the numbers of the battalion, I am afraid the device would have a sarcastic significance. And now, in all sober seriousness, can nothing be done to put the grand old corps on its former satisfactory footing? It has an illustrious past--most of the best known men at the Bar belonged to it--is it impracticable to secure for it an equally illustrious future? Men who, for half a lifetime, have stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of their clients' causes can surely adopt the same satisfactory and honourable position to protect the interests of the ancient battalion. Let Bench and Bar work with a will, and "The Devil's Own" will be worthy of its title. And with this prophecy (which sounds well, but is delivered subject to counsel's revision) I bring my communication, already too long, to an abrupt conclusion. (_Signed_) _Pump Handle Court, Aug. 10, 1895._ A. BRIEFLESS, JUN. * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL PRECEDENCE. GENTLEMEN ENTITLED TO BARE ARMS.] * * * * * A MOST SILENT AND DISCREET ECCLESIASTIC.--There is a most reverend personage who, every year, and especially during the summer season, must hear any number of _Amantium confessiones_, and his name is "Father Thames." Let lovers beware of a "babbling brook." * * * * * REACTION, 1895. (_See the "Daily Chronicle" of August 6._) Reaction's in the air, and (so to speak) Its trail is o'er the _Chronicle's_ own pages-- Witness "An Unknown Quantity" this week, Whose meditative J-pen disengages _De rebus omnibus_ a keen critique. Extravagance, and levity, and fads Have been o'erdone, it seems, since Eighteen-eighty (Or thereabouts); but, our observer adds, JOHN BULL has this year grown more wise and weighty, Less "new," less yellow--and has chucked the Rads. Reaction's the reverse of retrograde, If we recede from decadent excesses, And beat retreat from novelists who trade On "Sex," from artists whose _chef-d'[oe]uvres_ are messes-- 'Tis time indeed such minor plagues were stayed! Then here's for cricket in this year of GRACE, Fair-play all round, straight hitting and straight dealing In letters, morals, art, and commonplace Reversion unto type in deed and feeling-- A path of true Reaction to retrace! * * * * *