THE (EUROPEAN) WORLD AND ITS WIFE.--Europe--says an oracle--is "Wedded to Peace." Possibly. And Europe, doubtless, does not exactly desire a divorce. But Europe has to pay pretty heavily--in armies and fleets, &c.--for Peace's "maintenance." * * * * * THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS. NO. VI. SCENE--_Garden of the Hotel Victoria at Bingen, commanding a view of the Rhine and the vine-terraced hills, which are bathed in warm afternoon sunlight. Under the mopheaded acacias, CULCHARD and PODBURY are sitting smoking. At a little distance from them, are a Young Married Couple, whose honeymoon is apparently in its last quarter._ _The Bridegroom_ (_lazily, to Bride, as she draws another chair towards her for a foot-rest_). How many _more_ chairs do you want? _Bride_ (_without looking at him_). I should think you could spare me one--you can hardly sit on three at once! [_After this interchange of amenities, they consider themselves absolved from any further conversational efforts._ _Podb._ (_to CULCH., resuming a discussion_). I know as well as you do that we are booked for Nuremberg; but what _I_ say is--that's no earthly reason why we should _go_ there! _Culch._ No reason why _you_ should go, unless you wish it, certainly. _I_ intend to go. _Podb._ Well, it's beastly selfish, that's all! I know _why_ you're so keen about it, too. Because the TROTTERS are going. _Culch._ (_colouring_). That's an entire mistake on your part. Miss TROTTER has nothing to do with it. I don't even know whether she's going or not--for certain. _Podb._ No, but you've a pretty good idea that she _is_, though. And I _know_ how it will be. You'll be going about with her all the time, and I shall be shunted on to the old man! I don't _see_ it, you know! (_CULCH. remains silent. A pause. PODBURY suddenly begins to search his pockets_.) I say--here's a pretty fix! Look here, old fellow, doosid annoying thing, but I can't find my purse--must have lost it somewhere! _Culch._ (_stoically_). I can't say I'm surprised to hear it. It's awkward, certainly. I suppose I shall have to lend you enough to go home with--it's all I can do; but I'll do that with--er--pleasure. _Podb._ (_staring_). Go home? Why, I can wire to the governor for more, easily enough. We shall have to stay here till it comes, that's all. _Culch._ And give up Nuremberg? Thank you! _Podb._ I rather like this place, you know--sort of rest. And we could always nip over to Ems, or Homburg, if it got too slow, eh? [Illustration: "Good Heavens, It--It's gone!"]