MR. K-R H-RD-E.--No one has ever looked upon him other than as a perfectly harmless low-comedian with a highly developed mania for caps and knickerbockers. And this, probably, is the reason why we are told, in the _Liverpool Courier's_ "Labour Notes," that he is "an influential gentleman in England and _very much run after_ for lecturing purposes." But alas! it appears--from the same source of information--that, in the United States, "the running after" is all on the erewhile West Ham representative's side; though, being "rationally" garbed, this ought not to cause him much inconvenience. It is almost pathetic to learn that the poor gentleman was in the position of a Mahomet before a mountain of Fall River miners, from whom he was compelled to ask permission before a lecture could be arranged. Ichabod! or--more appropriately--_Knicker_-bod! * * * * * THAMES TALK.--A Forecast for 1896. How greatly improved are the steamboats. They seem to be as good as any at home and abroad. Quite so. They are simply floating palaces. You could find nothing to equal them in America. So convenient to have a better class for those who can afford a few extra pence. Without this, we should have never seen that duchess chatting away with the countess in her own right. Yes; and so pleasant to be able to get five o'clock tea nicely served by trim waitresses in a saloon upholstered with satins and ormolu. And the duke and the viscount seem quite comfortable in the luxuriously furnished smoke-room. Well, the sight is not surprising considering that the designer went to the Junior United Service Club for his model. And yet the artisans are contented with their part of the vessel. It certainly was a happy thought to supply their cabins with bagatelle boards, dominoes, and a five guinea compendium of games. In spite of the size of the vessels the boats travel at a rapid rate. No doubt this is attributable to the magnificent engines. Of course. And really it is very pleasant to travel from Chelsea to Kew to the sounds of a first-rate Hungarian Band. The commissariat, too, has not been neglected. The luncheon on board is worthy of the best traditions of the _buffet_ at Calais. And as cheap. Only fancy, half-a-crown for three courses and dessert! Yes; and that meal seems equally popular with the sixpenny tea (with cakes and crumpets) prepared for the patrons of the fore-part. The fares are also very low. Even in these hard times it would be unreasonable to complain of overcharge when the ticket between the Temple and Hampton Court is only fourpence. It is marvellous that no one tried the plan before of starting boats from half the piers for all the rest at five minutes interval. And yet they are crowded with travellers. Really the Thames seems to be a very popular highway. Naturally, when the passengers are sheltered from the weather--too much sun or a plethora of rain--at all times.