They take the poor thief or the forger to jail, oh, Where he cleans out his cell and picks oakum all day; _You_ pose as a martyr and get a cheap halo Ready-made by the public, with nothing to pay. Believe me, dear Sir, there is nothing can beat For triumph and joy the career of a cheat. * * * * * EXIT LA CLAQUE.--"_A partir d'apres demain samedi_," says the _Figaro_ for August 6:--"M. LEMONNIER, _le Directeur d'été et l'auteur de Madame la Maréchale, supprime le service de la claque à 'Ambigu_." When _Madame la Maréchale_ has finished her run, will the _claque_ be re-admitted to start a new piece? This is snubbing your friends in a time of prosperity. If the _claque_ has the courage of its opinions--but stay, can a _claque_ have any opinions? No: it must follow its leader; and its leader obeys orders. If ever any set of men came into a theatre "with orders," the _claque_ is that set. Poor _claque_! Summoned in adversity, banished in prosperity, why not do away with it altogether, and trust to public expression of opinion for applause? * * * * * NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or The London Charivari, Vol. 101, August 15, 1891, by Various