"How did I like that book?" I gained, From reading it, joy unrestrained; 'Twas perfect--had it but contained An Index! Brilliant, yet also erudite, Profound, in facts, in diction light, Why failed its writer to indite An Index? 'Twas history, on its social side, With stories, good to quote, supplied, Yet how quote anything, denied An Index? A book that "He who reads might run"-- MACAULAY, BOSWELL, GREEN, in one! Its Printer, too--what made _him_ shun An Index? I missed a date, harked back. "A fad!" You'll say? Perhaps. It made _me_ mad. My hunt was vain, because, it had No Index. O Authors of instructive chat, Supply this want when next you're at A book! "_Bis dat qui cito dat_," An Index. * * * * * OUR NEW EXAM. Answer any three of the following five questions:-- I. (_a._) What is a cassowary? (_b._) Does its internal construction render it capable of anthropophagy? (_c._) Describe its habits, nature and food, and draw an outline sketch of its skeleton. II. (_a._) Give the latitude and longitude of Timbuctoo. (_b._) State the number and religious belief of its inhabitants. (_c._) Discuss its natural advantages; (i.), as a port, and (ii.) as a centre for missionary enterprise. III. (_a._) Is a missionary best when served (i.) _au naturel_; (ii.) _a la maitre d'hotel_, or, (iii.) _aux petites livrettes de psaumes_? Discuss the advantages of each method of preparation; (_b._) Quote any advice given by (i.) LUCULLUS, or (ii.) EPICURUS on this subject. IV. What version of the Prayer-book is in use amongst the natives of Central Africa? V. Discuss the authorship of the poem entitled _Timbuctoo_, and adduce any reasons for believing JULIUS CAESAR to have written it. * * * * * THE OTHER PAPER.--MR. NEWNES is bringing out a rival to the _Pall Mall Gazette_, Is it to be published before the _P.M.G._, or later in the day? If the first, its title might be _The Noon's Paper_; if the latter, _The After-Newnes Paper_. Whichever you like, my little dear! Mr. N. pays his money and takes his choice. Anyhow, "NEWNES' Paper" is a marketable commodity. * * * * * [Illustration: THE HUNTING SEASON. THE MEET.] * * * * * THE STEPNEY THAT COSTS. ["The circumstances will indeed have to be very remarkable to take two Judges into Stepney."--_Baron Pollock, re Stepney Election Petition, Oct. 26._] I chanced to meet a man the other day, Whose store of legal knowledge was amazing, He stormed at me in quite the stormiest way, With, fiery indignation simply blazing. I wondered if he'd lost his (legal) hair (Forgive the phrase) against a demi-rep? Nay! They'd really ventured to presume to dare To ask a Judge or two to go to Stepney!