M beginneth MELBOURNE, who rules _the roast_ and State; [Illustration] N stands for a NOBLEMAN, who's _always_ good and great. [Illustration] O is for the OPERA, that I should only grace; [Illustration] P stands for the PENSION LIST, for "servants out of place." [Illustration] Q's the QUARTER'S SALARY, for which true patriots long; [Illustration] R's for MRS. RATSEY, who taught _me_ this pretty song; [Illustration] S stands for the SPEECH, which Mummy learns to say; [Illustration] T doth stand for TAXES, which the people ought to pay; [Illustration] U's for the UNION WORK-HOUSE, which horrid paupers shun; [Illustration] V is for VICTORIA, "the Bess of forty-one;" [Illustration] W stands for WAR, the "noble game" which Monarchs play; [Illustration] X is for the TREBLE X--Lilly drank three times a day; [Illustration] And Y Z's for the WISE HEADS, who admire all I say. * * * * * THE GENTLEMAN'S OWN BOOK. A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF ALL THE REQUISITES, DECORATIVE, EDUCATIONAL, AND RECREATIVE, FOR GENTILITY. INTRODUCTION. A popular encyclopaedia of the requisites for gentility--a companion to the toilet, the _salons_, the Queen's Bench, the streets, and the police-stations, has long been felt to be a desideratum by every one aspiring to good-breeding. The few works which treat on the subject have all become as obselete as "hot cockles" and "crambo." "The geste of King Horne," the "[Greek: BASILIKON]" of King Jamie, "Peacham's Complete Gentleman," "The Poesye of princelye Practice," "Dame Juliana Berners' Book of St. Alban's," and "The Jewel for Gentrie," are now confined to bibliopoles and bookstalls. Even more modern productions have shared the same fate. "The Whole Duty of Man" has long been consigned to the trunk-maker, "Chesterfield's Letters" are now dead letters, and the "Young Man" lights his cigar with his "Best Companion." It is true, that in lieu of these, several works have emanated from the press, adapted to the change of manners, and consequently admirably calculated to supply their places. We need only instance "The Flash Dictionary," "The Book of Etiquette," "A Guide to the Kens and Cribs of London," "The whole Art of Tying the Cravat," and "The Hand-book of Boxing;" but it remains for us to remove the disadvantages which attend the acquirement of each of these noble arts and sciences in a detached form. The possessor of an inquiring and genteel mind has now to wander for his politeness to Paternoster-row[2]; to Pierce Egan, for his knowledge of men and manners; and to Owen Swift, for his knightly accomplishments, and exercises of chivalry. [2] "Book of Etiquette." Longman and Co.