Sir,--We need not go so far afield as Messrs. HALIBURTON & CO. in search of dwarfs. In the suburbs of London, and even in the more densely-populated districts of this vast Metropolis, there are numbers of people who are uncommonly short. About quarter-day these extraordinary individuals may be heard of, but are rarely seen; which fact, however, affords no proof of their non-existence. Yours, TAXOS GATHEROS. * * * * * LATEST PUBLICATION (OF THE POLITICAL NATURAL HISTORY SERIES).--_Curious Development of French Froggies into Toadies of Russia_. * * * * * [Illustration: "WHEN A MAN DOES NOT LOOK HIS BEST."--NO. 1. WHEN HE MAGNANIMOUSLY CONSENTS TO GO ON THE PLATFORM AT A CONJURING PERFORMANCE, AND UNWONTED OBJECTS ARE PRODUCED FROM HIS INSIDE POCKETS.] * * * * * TO THE GRAND OLD CRICKETER. Dear Dr. GRACE, the season through You've struggled on, and striven gamely; Your leg, for all you've tried to do, Has made your record come out lamely; Your county suffers, too, with you; Your failures very dear have cost her. But better luck in 'ninety-two To you, old friend, and good old Gloucester! * * * * * THE MODERN CAGLIOSTRO; OR, THE POWER OF THE SPIRITS. (_A PAGE FROM A ROMANCE UP TO DATE._) And so PETER, learning that the veteran Alchymist was to be seen on the presentation of a small coin of the realm, approached the old man's residence. He had heard that the Sage had discovered the secret of immortality--barring accidents, he would live for ever. "Now that JOSEPHINE is true to me," he murmured, "I have no objection to a further century of existence, or even two." And he continued his walk. He had never seen so many taverns in his life. On every side of him were distilleries, public-houses, and beer-shops. He marvelled that a man of so many summers should have chosen such a bibulous spot for his home. "He must be exceedingly eccentric," he thought to himself; "however, that is nothing to me. If he can teach me how to live continuously, this bag of gold, now mine, shall change masters." The small coin of the realm was presented, and PETER stood face to face with the Sage of the Ages. "What do you want?" asked the ancient Alchymist, with a glistening eye. "What d'ye want with an old man--a very old man?" And the Sage wept. "I meant not this," remonstrated PETER, greatly distressed at the incident. "I came here merely to crave your aid. I wish to live now, for JOSEPHINE is true to me." "Who's JOSEPHINE?" asked the Sage, in the same thick voice. "Never heard of JOSEPHINE. JOSEPHINE's bore--swindle! Old JOSEPHINE's jolly humbug!" "Well, let that pass," said PETER, "I am here to ask you why you have lived so long. You are one hundred and twenty-seven years old, I think, and yet you are still alive."