They _must_ 'ave a feelink 'art towards the poor, and no mistake, Or they wouldn't take sech trouble for the poor Ratepayers' sake, NOCKY SPRIGGENS sez it 'minds 'im of a League of Loving Cats To purtect from traps and pizen the poor mice and starvin' rats. Jest like NOCKY's narsty way that is! But if them Dooks would try To assist the Kounty Kouncil in their new Committee--wy, They might 'elp our Health and Housing in a style as none could mock, Give the proud "Pergressives" what-for, and fair put the shut on NOCK. Arter all yer Public Garding's little better than a chouse, While the landlord rents yer heart out for a wretched Privit 'Ouse. And yer Hopen Space's pootiness ain't much good to _our_ sort, Who are shut up in the dismal dens called 'Omes, gents, down our Court. Oh, Philanterpists, and Sanitrys, and Dooks, I do not mean To be rucking upon Charity, or rounding on wot's clean; But _if_ yer wants to 'elp us as has lived so long in muck, The _only_ thing wot's wanted ain't to give us the clean--chuck! * * * * * [Illustration: TAKING HIM RATHER TOO LITERALLY. _Sir Biggan Burleigh_ (_who doesn't see why he shouldn't have a turn in his own house, to very young Lady_). "MISS VIOLET,--ROUND OR SQUARE?" _Miss Violet_ (_her first ball, very bashful_). "WELL--REALLY--SIR BURLEIGH--IF YOU INSIST--I SHOULD SAY"--(_hesitating_)--"DECIDEDLY _ROUND_!"] * * * * * 'ARRY EXAMINED. _Q._ What is meant by "Higher Education?" _'Arry_. Getting a Tutor at so much a week. That's the way _I_ should 'ire education--if I wanted it. * * * * * A DEFINITION.--"A pun on a word is a _new sense_."--Dr. JOHNSON, Junior. * * * * * THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS. NO. XXII. SCENE--_The Campo S.S. Giovanni e Paolo. Afternoon. CULCHARD is leaning against the pedestal of the Colleoni Statue_. _Podbury_ (_who has just come out of S. Giovanni, recognising CULCHARD_). Hullo! _alone_, eh? Thought you were with Miss TROTTER? _Culchard_. So I am. That is, she is going over a metal-worker's show-room close by, and I--er--preferred the open air. But didn't you say you were going out with the--er--PRENDERGASTS again? _Podb._ So I am. She's in the Church with BOB, so I said I'd come out and keep an eye on the gondola. Nothing much to see in _there_, you know! _Culch._ (_with a weary irony_). Only the mausoleums of the Doges--RUSKIN's "Street of the Tombs"--and a few trifles of that sort! [Illustration: "I guess you're about the most unselfish Saint on two legs!"] _Podb._ That's all. And I'm feeling a bit done, you know. Been doing the Correr Museum all the morning, and not lunched yet! So Miss TROTTER's looking at ornamental metal-work? Rather fun that, eh?