Before a huge crowd exceeding 60,000 these historic combinations met on Saturday, and provided a rich treat for those who had the privilege to be there. The officials of both clubs have been busy team-building, and the sides differed in many instances from those antagonizing on the same ground a year ago. That the changes have been judicious and beneficial Saturday's game abundantly proved. The men played with great earnestness, evincing much local patriotism, and in their contrasted styles--the polished artistry, the scientific precision of the Rovers, and the dash and forceful intrepidity of the Broms--were at their very best. We have seen many games, but this must rank.... While every man did himself justice, it may not be invidious to mention, for the Rovers, Gray, Smith, Black and McSkinner, and for the Broms, Brown, Jones, Green and McSleery, as being bright particular stars in their respective departments. * * * * * From a literary weekly:-- "It is a terribly accurate saying about the loud laugh and the vacant mind--Pope never got down surer to the bare bones of the truth." Nor did GOLDSMITH when he pointed out the danger of "a little learning." * * * * * From two consecutive items of "News in a Nutshell" in the _North-Eastern Daily Gazette_:-- "Lieut. ----, of an infantry regiment at Lemburg, Austria, fell fast asleep on February 14, and all efforts to wake him have proved futile ever since. A sleeper weighing 8 cwt. was found on the Great Western Railway near Banbury just before the arrival of a train from the north." However, it was not the lieutenant. * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS THAT ONE MIGHT HAVE PUT DIFFERENTLY. "HOW DE DO, LADY SMYTHE? I'VE JUST DRIVEN THE MOTOR OVER TO FETCH MY WIFE AWAY." "HOW NICE OF YOU, ADMIRAL; BUT I DO WISH YOU'D COME SOONER."] * * * * * FORGIVENESS. (_A Dream after losing a Dog._) Methought I saw the man that stole our Tim In a night vision; and "Behold!" he cried, "This was a task too easy for my whim, A job of little worth and little pride, An Irish terrier." Then his pal replied, "I know a place where you may pinch with ease One of these here carnation Pekinese. "You see them nasty spikes on that there wall? Climb it, and you shall find a little yard; An unlatched casement leads you to a hall, Thence to the crib where, odorous with nard, Slumbers the petted plaything; 'twere not hard Out of his cushioned ease (and gorged belike With sweetmeats) to appropriate the tyke." So, filled with high ambition and the hope Of gaining huge emolument, this man Hung to the toothed battlements a rope, Climbed and leapt down to execute his plan-- But even as he leapt a noise began As when the Arctic icebergs break and grind; This was because his pants were caught behind.