"No, JACK, I was not. Once I used to prattle at my mother's knee. I was beloved by my brothers and sisters, and I was the pride of the nursery!" And then the strong man broke down, and wept bitterly. "But have you not fallen very low?" asked the British Captain, gently. "Indeed I have! I am a thief, a liar, a scoundrel--and, in fact, a blackguard!" "With such surroundings," returned the Officer R.N., pointing to the _debris_ of the pirate craft, "it is difficult to dispute your contention. Indeed, you are a blackguard! But to what cause do you owe your fall?" "To my early training." "I do not comprehend you. Your early training! Where were you trained?" "In the _Britannia_!" And then the British Captain completely understood the situation. * * * * * [Illustration: A SOLILOQUY. (_At the close of the German Exhibition._) _West Kensington Cuirassier_. "NOW OI WONDER WHAT KOIND OF AN 'ERO OI'LL 'AVE TO BE NEXT YEAR?"] * * * * * 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. October 17, 1891, by Various