"No fear!"--Bourse Echoes answer me--"_no_ fear!" Italy is hard up, her bare Exchequer Forebodes financial ruin to her realm. We many-dollared Syndicates rule all. We rule the hearts of Ministers--we rule With a despotic sway ambitious minds; We are omnipotent. Shall pallid stones Contend for power with us?--shall antique fame, Or mere word-wizardry of old renown, Match the gold-magic that encircles _us_, "Rings," "Corners," "Syndicates"? Ridiculous! Not all the mysteries that hang upon Old Edax Rerum like a wizard's garment, May match that Master-Mage--the Almighty Dollar!! * * * * * OUR PARTICULAR TIP COMES OFF RIGHT! You may remember that last week, just before the Derby, I furnished you with a prophecy. So that there might be no doubt about it, I named the absolute First, Second, and Third. Said I (page 255), "We may take it that the winner will be found out of the _Common_." But this was not enough. That all should secure One, Two, and Three, I wrote, "Well might FRANÇOIS PREMIER have observed (as I do), 'Bravo, _Gouverneur_!'" implying that the French horse was certain of a place. But I went further still; I gave the Third. I carefully introduced in my short article the name of every probable starter, save _Martenhurst_, who consequently became "the Field." And what did I say of the Field? Why, "This year's Derby will be won by one of two. It will either fall to the Favourite or the Field." Surely this was good enough to point out No. 3? Cheques from grateful backers may be sent to 85, Fleet Street, addressed to THE ODD MAN OUT. * * * * * SAM WELLER ON "THE MELINITE DISCLOSURES."--"This here's the bold Tur_pin_." * * * * * [Illustration: UNCONSCIOUS CONFESSION. _Old Bachelor_ (_who caters for himself_). "MRS. SMITH, I DIDN'T CARE FOR THAT LEG OF MUTTON I BOUGHT YESTERDAY. IT HAD A QUEER FLAVOUR!" _Landlady_. "OH, SIR, IT WAS A BEAUTY! AND SO _DELICIOUSLY TENDER_!"] * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P. _House of Commons, Monday Night, May 25_.--Members coming back in slightly increased numbers. HARCOURT returned from his wandering to and fro. AKERS-DOUGLAS back after his influenza experience; presently coming up to "tell" in a division, is welcomed by a cheer that rises as heartily from Opposition Benches as from Ministerial ranks. JACKSON also back out of the Shadowed Valley; GORST, in his place again, sprinkles fine pinches of sublimated cayenne pepper upon CRAWFORD and others who want to know about Manipur. [Illustration: Back View of a Ruthless Tyrant.]