By the way, why does one always "preside" at the organ? At the first blush there would not seem to be anything peculiarly presidential about the playing of the instrument, but then I may be dull. For instance, I have never yet understood why young tobacconists are always alluded to as "commencing." Other traders are content to begin or to start, but a tobacconist must apparently "commence" or be eternally disgraced. * * * * * Oh, dealer in the latest brand Of Claro and Maduro, One question agitates our land, From Ballater to Truro. In Belfast I have heard it put, Where men the Home Rule whim rue; 'Tis asked amid our London soot, And in the realms of Cymru. On gray St. Andrews' windy links, So niblicky and cleeky; In far Glenlivet, famed for drinks; In Auld Athenian Reekie. Where Cornwall's rock-bound coast defies The surge of the Atlantic, One puzzle-question takes the prize, And drives the public frantic. One matchless question fairly burns, It leads us all a dance, Sir; Ye men who profit by Returns, Return me quick an answer; Explain, tobacconist to me, Without unduly fencing, Why those who end in smoke should be Unceasingly commencing. * * * * * Mr. HENRY BLACKBURN has been visiting Manchester and Liverpool, and has confided his impressions of these great cities to the editor of the _Manchester Guardian_. He admires Manchester for "its admirable tramway, street police, and other traffic arrangements," but there is an _amari aliquid_ in the shape of the Manchester street Arab. Mr. BLACKBURN has all an artist's tolerance; but, as might be expected of a black and white artist, he feels bound to draw the line, and he draws it before street Arabs. He thinks it worth while to mention-- "A pedestrian's experience of his, generally, free fight with the street _gamin_ culminating on Saturday afternoon last at 2.15 by being tripped up and thrown down in the middle of the road near the Central Station, and only saved from further contact with the said tramcars by rolling quickly round and round into the gutter. This rapid act was witnessed, doubtless, by several of your readers, two of whom rendered timely assistance. I am aware that it is the rule in any household or community for a guest to conform to its ways for the time being, and not to complain of any _contretemps_; but, having had a second encounter (of less consequence) on the very steps of the entrance to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, on the same afternoon, I venture to think that the juvenile--and in some respects perfectly delightful--street vendors of matches, flowers, and football newspapers have a little too much of a free run in both these cities." * * * * *