"GREAT BRITAIN AND THE GILBERT ISLANDS."--Captain DAVIS of H.M. Screw Cruiser _Royalist_, on May 27, formally annexed "The Gilbert Islands." Where was SULLIVAN? Or is it that Sir ARTHUR, having been annexed as a Knight, was unable to interfere? Will D'OYLY CARTE explain? * * * * * THE MENAGERIE RACE. SCENE--_The terrace in front of Hauberk Hall, which the_ LARKSPURS _have taken for the Summer_. TIME--_An August afternoon. Miss STELLA LARKSPUR--a young lady with great energy and a talent for organisation--has insisted upon all the Guests taking part in a Menagerie Race._ _The Rev. Ninian Headnote, the Local Curate_ (_to Mr. PLUMLEY DUFF--after uneasily regarding Miss STELLA, as she shakes up some pieces of folded paper in a hat_). Can you give me any idea of the precise nature of this amusement--er--nothing resembling a gambling transaction, I suppose?--or I really-- _Mr. Plumley Duff_. Well, I'm given to understand that we shall each be expected to take an animal of some sort, and drive it along with a string tied to its leg. Sounds childish--to _me_. _The Curate_ (_relieved_). Oh, exactly, I see. Most entertaining, I'm sure! (_He coos._) What wonderful ingenuity one sees in devising ever-fresh pastimes, do we not? Indeed, yes! _Miss Stella_. There, I've shuffled all the animals now. (_Presenting the hat_.) Mr. HEADNOTE, will you draw first? _The Curate_. Oh, really. Am I to take one of these? Charmed! (_He draws._) Now I wonder what my fate--(_Opening the paper_.) The Monkey! (_His face falls._) _Is_ there a Monkey here? _Dear_ me, how _very_ interesting! _Dick Gatling_ (_of H.M. Gunboat "Weasel"_). Brought him over my last cruise from Colombo. No end of a jolly little beast--bites like the--like _blazes_, you know! _Miss Stella_ (_to her Cousin_). Now, DICK, I won't have you taking away poor Jacko's character like that. He's only bitten BINNS--and, well, there _was_ the gardener's boy--but I'm sure he _teased_ him. _You_ won't tease him, will you, Mr. HEADNOTE? _The Curate_. I--I shouldn't dream of it, Miss STELLA,--on the contrary, I--(_To himself._) Was it quite discreet to let myself be drawn into this? Shall I not risk lowering my office by publicly associating myself with a--a Monkey? I feel certain the Vicar would disapprove strongly. _Dick_ (_to Colonel KEMPTON_). Drawn _your_ animal yet, Sir? _The Colonel_ (_heatedly_). Yes, I have--and I wish I'd kept out of this infernal tomfoolery. Why the mischief don't they leave a man in peace and quietness on a hot afternoon like this? Here am I, routed out of a comfortable seat to go and drive a confounded White Rabbit, Sir! Idiotic, _I_ call it! _The Curate_. Pardon me, Colonel KEMPTON; but if you object to the Rabbit, I would not at all mind undertaking it myself--and you could take my Monkey-- _The Colonel_. Thanks--but I won't deprive you. A Rabbit is quite responsibility enough for me!