For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, His journey to begin. When, turning round his head, he saw Queer customers come in. So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of Votes, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more. 'Twas long, ere these queer customers Were suited to their mind, When SCHNADDY, shouting, came down stairs, "The tipple's left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty blade When foes I 'pulverise.'" His Liberal Lady (careful soul!) Had two big bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound. Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle at each side, To keep his balance true. Then, over all, that he might be Equipped from top to toe, His long green cloak, well-brushed and neat, He manfully did throw. Now see him mounted once again Upon his docile steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, With caution and good heed. It might have been a smoother road, Nor was it nice to meet First off, a Pig, who GILPIN bold With stubborn grunt did greet. So fair and softly! JOHNY cried, But-- [_Here the fragment, so far as at present discovered, abruptly endeth._ * * * * * TIP FROM OUR OWN BOOKING-OFFICE.--Persons about to go to the Country, whether to defend their own seat or attack someone else's, can't do better, my Baronite says, than take with them P.W. CLAYDEN's _England Under Coalition_, just published by FISHER UNWIN. It's not much to carry, but it's worth the trouble of packing up; also of unpacking, and reading. It tells the story of two Parliaments and three Governments. A pretty story it is, more interesting than most novels, and in one volume too. A marvel of condensation and lucid narrative. Only one thing lacking to a work likely to be constantly used for reference, and that is an index. "But you can't have everything," as _Queen Eleanor_ said to _Fair Rosamond_ when, having swallowed the contents of the poisoned chalice, she asked for a dagger. * * * * * [Illustration: THE POLITICAL JOHNNY GILPIN. "NOW SEE HIM MOUNTED ONCE AGAIN UPON HIS NIMBLE STEED, FULL SLOWLY PACING O'ER THE STONES, WITH CAUTION AND GOOD HEED." ] * * * * * [Illustration: OBVIOUS. _Buttons_ (_fresh from the Country, evidently no French Scholar_). "I SAY, MARY, THE GUV'NOR AND MISSUS ARE DINING OUT TO-NIGHT. BUT I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE OF ME MAKE OUT WHAT A _R_, A _S_, A _V_, AND A _P_ MEAN ON THIS 'ERE CARD!" _Smart Housemaid_. "WHY, OF COURSE IT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE _R_UMP _S_TEAK AND _V_EAL _P_IE!"] * * * * * ELECTION NOTES. (_BY MR. PUNCH'S SPECIAL COMMISSIONER._)