* * * * * RECONCILIATION. (_Scene from that new Screaming Farce "The Political Box and Cox."_) ["Mr. GLADSTONE (says the _Daily Chronicle_) has effected a formal reconciliation with the Member for Northampton. He visited Mr. and Mrs. LABOUCHERE, took tea with them, and had a long and very cordial interview. So far, indeed, as Mr. LABOUCHERE ever had any personal feeling in reference to his exclusion from the Ministry, it may be regarded as dead."] [Illustration] _Box._ Although we are not destined to occupy the same--ahem!--Cabinet Council Chamber--at present, I don't see any necessity for our cutting each other's political throat, Sir. _Cox._ Not at all. It's an operation that I should decidedly object to. _Box._ And, after all, I've no violent animosity against _you_, Sir. _Cox._ Nor have I any rooted antipathy to _you_. Sir. _Box._ Besides, it was all--ahem!--Mrs.--ahem's fault, Sir! _Cox_ (_embarrassed_). Well--ahem!--my--er--loyalty--as a man of honour--to--er--that lady, Sir, forbids, Sir, my saying, or--er--permitting to be said---- [_Gradually approaching chairs._ _Box._ Ah, exactly, I _quite_ understand that. The truth is---- _Cox_ (_quickly_). A most excellent thing, in its way. I always see it. _Box._ Very well, Sir! _Cox._ Very well, Sir! [_Pause._ _Box._ Take a little jam, Sir! _Cox._ Thank you, Sir! [_Taking a spoonful. Pause._ _Box._ Do you sing, Sir? _Cox_ (_modestly_). I have, in days gone by, done a little Negro Minstrelsy. _Box._ Then give us a breakdown. _(Pause.)_ Well, well, perhaps the suggestion's a little inopportune. What is your opinion of smoking, Sir? [_Produces cigarette._ _Cox_ (_tartly_). I think it is a pestilent practice, Sir! _Box_ (_puffing_). So do some other singular people, Sir. To be sure, they may not so much object to it if the pipes are not loaded. _Cox._ No--I daresay that _does_ make some difference. _Box._ And yet, Sir, on the other hand, doesn't it strike you, as rather a waste of time, for people to keep puffing away at pipes (or Programmes) with nothing in 'em? _Cox_ (_drily_). No, Sir--not more than any other harmless recreation--such, for instance, as posing as a Party leader, without any Party. _Box_ (_aside_). Some of his own Party may be found a bit shaky. Next time I invite him, it may be to tea--and turn-out! _Cox_ (_aside_). Let him put _that_ in his pipe (or cigarette) and smoke it! _Box_ (_aloud_). Well, well, now we so thoroughly understand each other, what--even Programmes--shall part us? _Cox._ Who--even--ahem! a certain Party, shall tear us asunder? _Box._ COX! _Cox._ BOX! [_About to embrace._ BOX _stops, seizes_ COX's _hand, and looks eagerly in his face._ _Box._ You'll excuse the apparent insanity of the remark, but the more I gaze on your features, the more I'm convinced that you'd never be such a suicidal idiot as to--seek another Chamber?