IMPERATOR REX AURIFERORUM MEORUM (Latiné for "Mines") surrounded by his Pretorian Guards. * * * * * SPORT TO US! [Illustration: "What larks! Killed four-and-twenty blackbirds all in a row! at one shot!!!"] Went out shooting before dinner. Killed one wild turkey, after an awful struggle, in which I very nearly got the worst of it; but fortunately the turkey was unarmed, though for all that he used his drumsticks in such a manner as in a little more would have brought flocks of other furious wild turkeys on to the scene, had I not, with great presence of mind and one small bullet out of my spring-pea rifle managed to crack the parchment-like skin which covers his drum, and at the same time broken one of his sticks. Then, he fell. Carried him home on my back. What larks! Killed four-and-twenty blackbirds at one shot as they were all sitting in a row on a rail. They were so frightened of me, _it made 'em quail!!_ Wonderful transformation, wasn't it? But fact, all the same. Four-and-twenty quail All on a rail. Killed eighty "Koran," a Mahomedan bird, very scarce, and therefore bring in a considerable Mahomet, or, (ahem) profit? See? Shot a "Tittup"--so called on account of its peculiar action after drinking; also three early German Beerbirds, or, as the Dutchmen call them, "Spring-boks." There is another origin for this name, which is also likely, and that is that they don't appear when there's an early spring, but when the spring is rather backward then they come forward. Whichever you like, my little dear, you pays your money, &c., &c. After all these exciting adventures--"The game is cook'd, and now we'll go to dinner!"--quotation from early Dramatist, by Yours ever, [Illustration] * * * * * WORTH NOTICING. O poor Mr. ATKINSON, victim of fate, Who bowed when you ought to have lifted your hat, When the Session is over it's far--far too late, To give notice of this and give notice of that. Your attempts to be funny are amazing to see, It's a dangerous venture to pose as a wit. Though the voters of Boston _may_ love their M.P., It _may_ end in their giving _you_ notice--to quit! * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. [Illustration]