* * * * * A BABE O' GRACE. [MR. CHAMBERLAIN says that "MR. GLADSTONE'S Home Rule Policy was conceived in secresy, was born in deceit, and was nurtured on evasion."] Poor Babe (whom kind Nurse C. so fain would throttle) Ill was thy fate, fed from the GLADSTONE bottle! Nurture less harsh had ROMULUS and REMUS. Nurse C. would, oh! so gladly, "NICODEMUS The bantling into Nothing." Yet it lives And kicks and crows, and lots of trouble gives, This happy Baby on the tree-top dangling Whilst friends and foes about thy fate are wrangling! When the wind blows--ah! then the world shall see What a prophetic soul has kind Nurse C. Its face, perchance, had been more bright and bland Could kind Nurse C. have "brought it up by hand," As _Mrs. Gargery_ did the infant "_Pip_." Nay, there are some who on the hint let slip That kind Nurse C. had never wished it slain Had it but in another _Chamber lain_! * * * * * Look at Home! GRANDOLPH says that "Local Self-Government" should precede "Purchase." Probably he may find a little "Local Self-Government" (of tongue and temper) necessary to enable him to "purchase" the continued support of the Voters of South Paddington! * * * * * EXIT IN FUMO. [The birthday gifts from the Emperor to Prince BISMARCK include, besides his portrait, a long and valuable pipe.] O solace of sore hearts, soul-soothing pipe! Was ever trail-exhausted Indian, Tired mariner, or hungry working-man, Or sore-tried toiler, of whatever type, More needed comfort from thy blessed bowl Than brooding BISMARCK in his exiled hour? He who, when storms about his land did lour, Faced them, and rode them out, and to the goal Of glory, and to safety's haven brought His mighty charge! Memories of foes outfought, And rivals out-manoeuvred, stir his soul, His strong stark soul, as there he sits and shrouds That granite face in thick tobacco-clouds Blown from the "long, and valuable" gift Wherewith a grateful Master's genial thrift Rewards the service, "long and valuable," Of such a Servant! Later time shall tell The tale of that strange parting, of the schemes That set asunder autocratic youth And age, perchance, imperious. But, in truth, Wise age discounts the worth of boyish dreams; 'Tis well that youth, betimes, should bear the yoke! Maybe the Mighty Chancellor's career Is far less like, whatever may appear, Than the proud Emperor's plans to--end in smoke! * * * * * [Illustration: A QUIET DRIVE BY THE SEA. A BRIGHTON BATH-CHAIRMAN'S IDEA OF A SUITABLE ROUTE FOR AN INVALID LADY.] * * * * * USEFUL WARNING.