Time goes on, bringing the fated hour nearer and nearer; and the student's assiduity knows no bounds. He reads his subjects over and over again, to keep them fresh in his memory, like little boys at school, who try to catch a last bird's-eye glance of their book before they give it into the usher's hands to say by heart. He now feels a deep interest in the statistics of the Hall, and is horrified at hearing that "nine men out of thirteen were sent back last Thursday!" The subjects, too, that they were rejected upon frighten him just as much. One was plucked upon his anatomy; another, because he could not tell the difference between a daisy and a chamomile; and a third, after "being in" three hours and a quarter, was sent back, for his inability to explain the process of making malt from barley,--an operation, whose final use he so well understands, although the preparation somewhat bothered him. And thus, funking at the rejection of a clever man, or marvelling at the success of an acknowledged fool--determining to take prussic acid in the event of being refused--reading fourteen hours a day--and keeping awake by the combined influence of snuff and coffee--the student finds his first ordeal approach. * * * * * TRUE ECONOMY. Peter Borthwick experienced a sad disappointment lately. Having applied to the City Chamberlain for the situation of Lord Mayor's fool, he was told that the Corporation, in a true spirit of economy, had decided upon dividing the duties amongst themselves. Peter was--but we were not--surprised that between the Aldermen and tom-foolery there should exist [Illustration: A STRONG ATTACHMENT.] * * * * * THE LORD MAYOR'S FOOL. We are happy in being able to announce that it is the intention of the new potentate of Guildhall to revive the ancient and honourable office of "Lord Mayor's Fool." A number of candidates have already offered themselves, whose qualifications for the situation are so equally balanced, that it is a matter of no small difficulty to decide amongst them. The Light of the City has, we understand, called in Gog and Magog--Sir Peter Laurie and Alderman Humphrey--to assist him in selecting a fit and proper person upon whom to bestow the Civic cap and bells. The following is a list of the individuals whose claims are under consideration:-- _The Marquis of Londonderry_, who founds his claims upon the fact of his always creating immense laughter whenever he opens his mouth. _Lord Brougham_, who grounds his pretensions upon the agility displayed by him in his favourite character of "the Political Harlequin." _Lord Normanby_, upon the peculiar fitness of his physiognomy to play the Fool in any Court. _Daniel O'Connell_, upon his impudence, and his offer to fool it in his new scarlet gown and cocked-hat. _Peter Borthwick_, upon his brilliant wit, which it is intended shall supersede the Bude Light in the House of Commons.