AN OLD CRUSTED PORT.--The "Battle of the Mails" is again raging in Ireland. Queenstown seemed to have conquered, but, according to the _Cork Daily Herald_, the partisans of Southampton are insidiously working in favour of that port, because it is believed that "a Unionist Government with a powerful majority will be less amenable to Irish pressure than the late Home-Rule Government was." And the very idea of the Post Office breaking through the contract with the Cunard Line, the Dublin Steam Packet Company, and the London and North-Western Railway is denounced as a monstrous offence. That is all right, and it is refreshing to find so much respect for contracts still surviving. In postal and steamer matters Ireland is Conservative to the backbone. She won't doff her "coat of mail" in a hurry. Home-Rulers and Unionists are united on this point: "one touch at Queenstown makes all Erin glad." * * * * * The _South Wales Daily News_ tells us that "policemen on bicycles are a very common thing in Cardiganshire." THE VERNACULAR EVOLUTION OF THE "FORCE." When great Sir ROBERT first enroll'd the band, As "Peelers" they were known throughout the land: Then fickle fancy, changing e'er her hobby, Metamorphosed the nickname into "Bobby." As years went on--'tis known to be no "whopper"-- Alluded to was Bobby as a "Copper," And, nowadays, the people call him "Slop": Nor is the matter likely _here_ to stop. For now we learn, that our once simple "Peeler" Is up-to-date and has become a "Wheeler"! * * * * * THE OLLENDORF GUIDE TO KNOWLEDGE. THE PERSISTENT HAIRDRESSER. [Illustration]