(_Vide Lord Rosebery's resume of the year's work of the London County Council._) MASTER BULL _loquitur_:-- Humph! Show is very passable, no doubt; And as you pull the strings, my clever Showman, 'Tis clear that _you_ know what you are about, Sense's sworn friend, and babbling folly's foeman. The slides, as worked by you, seem mighty fine, A trifle vague, perhaps, in composition, Sloppy in colouring, and weak in line, As is the civic peep-show's old tradition; Still there is graphic vigour here and there, Perspective, and a general sense of "movement." On the old "Shirker" Show, 'tis only fair To own, it evidences some improvement. Plenty of slides! there is no doubt of _that_; In fact one questions if there are too many. Yes, I shall find when you pass round the hat, The price is more than the old-fashioned Penny. I pay my money and I take my--choice? Well no, it won't quite fit, that fine old patter. Still, if your Show proves good, I shall rejoice; A trifling rise in fee won't greatly matter, If 'tis not too "progressive" (as you say). To stump up for sound work I'm always willing; But though, of course, a Penny may not pay, One wants a first-class Peep-Show for a Shilling! Some of your novel slides are rather nice, Some of them, on the other hand, look funny. I felt grave doubts about 'em once or twice. I don't want muddlers to absorb my money. However, as I said, 'tis very clear As puller of the strings you yield to no man. The Show seems promising, if rather dear, But anyhow it has a first-rate Showman! * * * * * "So Engelish you know!" exclaims the BARON DE B. W., on seeing the advertisement of Dr. LOUIS ENGEL's new book from _Handel to Halle_. "It will be interesting," says the Baron, "to note how much of HANDEL's popularity was due to that particular inspiration of genius which caused him to use the name of the future composer and pianist in one of his greatest works, namely, the celebrated '_Hallelujah Chorus_.' For this magnificent effort would have been only half the chorus it is without 'HALLE' to commence it." * * * * * GRANDOLPH GOODFELLOW; OR, PUCK AT THE SPIGOT. (_Shakspeare adapted to the situation_) _Bung._ Either I mistake your shape and making quite, Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite Called GRANDOLPH GOODFELLOW. Are you not he That did your best to spill Lord S-L-SB-RY? Gave the Old Tory party quite a turn, And office with snug perquisites did spurn? And now you'd make Strong Drink to bear no barm (Or proper profit.) You would do us harm. Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sly PUCK, Are right; you always bring your friends bad luck. Are you not he?