_Major Podmore_. "QUITE SO, DEAR BOY. BUT IN THIS HOT WEATHER--80 deg. IN THE SHADE--SO MUCH BETTER, IF YOU CAN, TO TAKE THINGS COOLLY!"] * * * * * A ROUNDABOUT RAMBLE. (_A FACT FOUNDED ON FICTION._) The sharp, bright little Traveller made his way to the Cabinet of M. CARNOT, and disturbed him at work. "Do you know, M. Le President," said he, "that the Russians are in secret treaty with the English, and the Russo-French Alliance is all nonsense--the most unreliable of broken reeds?" "Well, no," replied CARNOT, "I have not heard anything of the sort; and, if anyone should be up in it--" But the Traveller did not want to hear the rest, for he was once again on his road, telling everyone he met the disquieting intelligence, and, consequently, the French people were greatly troubled. He was soon in Berlin. He did not ask for an interview with the KAISER, but took one. "Your Royal and Imperial Majesty," said he, "are you aware that Italy is in secret accord with France, and that the Triple Alliance is a sham, and that the cry _A Berlin!_ may be renewed at any moment?" "Well, no," said the Emperor, "I have not heard this; and if anyone should know anything about it, I fancy--" But the Traveller did not wait for the KAISER to finish the sentence, but was off again, telling everyone he met the disquieting intelligence. And, consequently, the German people were greatly troubled. Then the Traveller obtained admission, in the same unceremonious fashion, to the apartment occupied by the Emperor of AUSTRIA. "King of HUNGARY," said he, "are you aware that you cannot possibly rely upon your German neighbour, because the KAISER has a secret understanding with the CZAR, by which the Principalities will be included in Russian territory, and the Rhine secured from French invasion?" "No, I have not heard it," was the answer; "and, if it had been the case, I imagine that--" But again the Traveller left without waiting for the completion of the sentence, and went his way telling everyone he met the disquieting intelligence. And consequently, the Austro-Hungarian peoples were greatly troubled. And now the Traveller was in the presence of the Emperor of ALL THE RUSSIAS. Again he had obtained admission without the preliminary of an official introduction. "Little Father," said the Traveller, "are you aware that your youthful relative in Berlin is coquetting with France and England, and you may find the whole of Europe marshalled against you?" "Well, no I have not heard it," returned the CZAR; "and I really think--" But the Traveller never learned what the CZAR really thought, for he was away before His Imperial Majesty had completed the sentence. And as he went away, after his usual fashion, he spread the disquieting intelligence, and consequently the Russian people were greatly troubled. And now the Traveller was in Cairo. He presented himself before the KHEDIVE without waiting for the English adviser.