PITCH-ED OUT.--A motion for the introduction of tar-macadam, instead of granite, as pavement for the Aberdeen streets, was rejected by the Town Council after a lengthy and lively discussion upon the subject. What really gave the _coup de grâce_ to the cause of the Tar-macadamites was a councillor's statement that "he had often got a wet foot in a tar-macadam street ('_Hear, hear!_')." This alarming assertion effectually "queered the pitch"--to use a slang expression--for the would-be innovators, and "granite and dry feet" won the day by fourteen votes to nine. * * * * * [Illustration: MEDIÆVAL GUNNERY PRACTICE. THE FIRST SHOT. THE RESULT.] * * * * * POETIC LICENCE. SIR LEWIS MORRIS describes the United States as:-- She Who sits august and free, A crownèd Commonwealth from sea to sea." But why "crownèd"? America will surely resent the monarchical suggestion. Might not _this_ be more appropriate, Sir LEWIS?:-- She Who owns the Big Countree, Where Niggers are, and Silver may be free, A dollar'd despotism, under three Great tyrants--"Boodle," "Lynch," and "Tammany." How's _that_ for high-falutin, mellifluous MORRIS? * * * * * Edith Mary Ledingham. _The young stewardess of the "Iona" who met with a terrible death on that ill-fated vessel in the heroic effort to rescue a child._ ["She was such a good girl. She was so happy in her new work, and liked the sea."--_Her Mother._] Only "a Gateshead girl," whose name, Though loved, was all unknown to fame, Until that testing morn, That moment fierce of sudden fear; To-day to English hearts as dear As English girl hath borne! That awful instant set it fair Among the records high and rare That glorify our State. A girl's heart, simple, cheerful, fond, To desperate duty could respond, In the great moment, great. What more have History's heroes done? Or with what readier valour won The golden meed of Fame? Only charred ashes left to sight! But on the immortal scroll we write Another gentle name. Such a good girl! And loved the sea! O white-cliff'd isle, while such as she Light a poor English home. The Viking blood, the NELSON strain No fateful hour shall seek in vain To serve thee on the foam. * * * * * AS THE LAW SHOULD BE. (_From "The Legal Intelligence" of the Future._)