Pray consider my verse, which, if learnt by heart pat, forms The best of all tips for political platforms. With a slight dash of MILL you may burden your speeches, You may tell the great tale of O'BRIEN, his breeches. On the one side you'll tear WILLIAM HARCOURT to tatters; He's out for a time, but I don't think it matters. Then, in talking of JOE, what will help very much is A delicate hint at a Duke or a Duchess; A suggestion that coats are the garments, if any, That mustn't be turned when their colours are many: And that programmes (you'll pause ere you flatly refuse 'em) Are Brummagem goods, which will break when you use 'em. Then, whether your hearers be Whig or be Tory, By the scruff of its neck you must drag in a story. Adjure them, my friend, lest their zeal should grow colder, To fight for the Cause, standing shoulder to shoulder. And, whether you battle for that chief or this chief, Inform them that stones, if unturned, are the mischief. And, last but not least, no opponent will quarrel, When all that you claim is a win _plus_ a moral. * * * * * As an example of how political conflicts ought to be carried on take the case of West Fife. While Mr. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, the Radical Candidate, was speaking in Thornton School, "the door of the room was opened, and Mr. WEMYSS, the Liberal Unionist candidate for the constituency, asked 'May I come in,' to which Mr. BIRRELL replied 'Yes, certainly.' Mr. WEMYSS, who was followed by a large number of supporters, then entered the hall, and took a seat on one of the front benches, which he occupied until the close of the address, when he was greeted with loud calls for a speech. In response to the call, he remarked that he had already made eight or nine speeches that day, and must be excused from making another. He had, however, enjoyed Mr. BIRRELL'S speech very much. It was not for him to criticise it at that meeting, but he might only say that he felt sure the electors of West Fife would vote for whom they considered the best man and the man they believed would do his duty. He then called for three hearty cheers for his opponent, Mr. BIRRELL. Votes of confidence were then put for both candidates, when that in favour of Mr. BIRRELL was declared carried. The opposing candidates then shook hands, and departed evidently the best of friends." * * * * * A totally different picture comes to us from Aston Manor, as I judge from the following letter in the BIRMINGHAM DAILY GAZETTE. WHAT HAS BECOME OF IKE WARD? _To the Editor of the Daily Gazette._