P.S.--I observe that in my haste I have not called you a fool, or directly stigmatised as such anyone alluded to in this letter. I am afraid this will be regarded as a sign of growing weakness. But I will bring up the average in the next letter I write for publication. * * * * * [Illustration: DARWINIAN ANCESTOR _Composing the Song, "For O it is such a Norrible Tail!!"_ "Our ancestor was an animal which breathed water, had a swim-bladder, a great swimming tail, and an imperfect skull."--_Darwin to Lyell._] [Illustration: THE BABES IN THE CHRISTMAS WOOD. "The Cry is still they come!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PUTTING _HIS_ FOOT IN IT. _She._ "AND DO YOU STILL SQUEEZE UP THE LADIES' FEET IN YOUR COUNTRY?" _He._ "ON THE CONTRARY, MADAM! THAT IS A _CHINESE_ CUSTOM. WE IN JAPAN ALWAYS ALLOW THE LADIES' FEET TO GROW TO QUITE THEIR FULL SIZE. NOT THAT ANY WOULD EVER RIVAL _YOURS_, MADAM!" [_Is delighted with his neat little Compliment!_] * * * * * THE BABES IN THE CHRISTMAS WOOD. The Publishers' Cantata. _Various well-known Publishing Firms in the guise of Forest-trees discovered shedding their leaves._ GENERAL CHORUS. See Christmas is upon us and the world around us living, Seeks us and asks the pretty gifts it soon would fain be giving. The stories thrilling, tender, sweet, to suit all tastes and ages, All gleaming with their covers gay and picture-covered pages; The dainty illustrated leaf, the paper softly tinted, In type, to suit young eyes and old, all exquisitely printed: Of artist's pencil, author's pen, the choicest, fairest flower, Behold as the glad season comes we thus upon you shower. MESSRS. BLACKIE & SONS.