I fancy I'm getting insane, I'm over my ankles in slosh; But let me repeat the refrain-- I think that a Ballade is bosh! THE VILLANELLE. (_With Vexation._) I do not like the Villanelle, I think it somewhat of a bore-- This tinkle of a Muffin-bell! The reason why I cannot tell; Each day I fancy, more and more, I do not like the Villanelle! It makes me stamp and storm and yell, It makes me wildly rage and roar: This tinkle of a Muffin-bell! I look upon it as a sell, Its use I constantly deplore; I do not like the Villanelle! Poetic thoughts it must dispel, It very often tries me sore: This tinkle of a Muffin-bell! For this I know, and know full well-- Let me repeat it o'er and o'er!-- I do not like the Villanelle, This tinkle of a Muffin-bell! THE TRIOLET. (_In a Temper._) A triolet's scarcely the thing-- Unless you would carol in fetters! If lark-like you freely would sing, A Triolet's scarcely the thing: I miss the poetical ring, I'm told that it has, by my betters! A Triolet's scarcely the thing-- Unless you would carol in fetters! THE RONDEAU. (_In a Rage._) Pray tell me why we can't agree To bid the merry Muse run free? Pray tell me why we should incline To see her in a Rondeau pine, Or sigh in shackled minstrelsy? Why can't she sing with lark-like glee, And revel in bright _jeux d'esprit_? Where form can't fetter or confine-- Pray tell me why? Pray tell me why that frisky gee, Called Pegasus, should harnessed be? Why bit and bridle should combine To all his liveliness consign,-- To deck the Rondeau's narrow line-- Pray tell me why? * * * * * BAD NEWS FOR TEA-DRINKERS. [Illustration: A Simple Clearance under Protest.] We learn from a report of the proceedings of the City Commissioners of Sewers last week, that those vigilant protectors of the health of our ancient City had before them a case that fairly puzzled them, and in its strangeness and difficulty would probably have puzzled even a more judicial body than they probably pretend to be. It would seem that they had received a note of warning from the eminent firm of FRANCIS PEEK & CO., that a large parcel of tea was about to be submitted to public auction which was "simple filth," and utterly unfit for consumption.