_Friday._--Almost forgot we still have House of Lords. Shall be reminded of their existence by-and-by. For the nonce, they are courteously quiescent, the world forgetting, by the world forgot. Just a little flare-up to-night. Ireland, of course; CAMPERDOWN wanting to know what about the Evicted Tenants Commission? Are the Government going to legislate upon it, or will they forbear? SELBORNE supernaturally solemn; dragged in JAMES THE SECOND as the nearest approach to any head of a Government quite so wicked as Mr. G. Lords much interested in this. Don't hear so much now of JAMES THE SECOND as we did when at school. The establishment of points of resemblance between Governments of his day and that presided over by Mr. G., a novelty in debate. Imparted to political controversy a freshness long lacking. Just after seven, debate adjourned. For all practical purposes, it might as well have been concluded. But House doesn't get many opportunities of debate; not disposed riotously to squander this chance one. _Business done._--Commons had Morning Sitting; scrupulously devoted the last five minutes of it to public business. * * * * * OPERATIC NOTE,--There's not much magic about _The Magic Ring_ at the Prince of Wales's until the Second Act, in which the extravagantly comic "business" of Messrs. MONKHOUSE and KAYE, the burlesque acting of Miss SUSIE VAUGHAN, and the comic trio dance between the two low comedians and the sprightly soprano, Miss MARIE HALTON, are worth the whole of Act I. When is burlesque not burlesque? When it is Comic Opera. Burlesque was reported dead. Not a bit of it, only smothered; and it may come up fresh for a long run, or at all events, "fit" for a good spurt. * * * * * Even the old-fashionedest Toriest of Tory Farmers are longing, hoping, and even praying, for the downfall of the Rain. If we don't have it soon, and it may have arrived ere this appears, Marrowfats, as _articles de luxe_, will be "Peas at any price!" * * * * * [Illustration: MISPLACED MERRIMENT. _Irish Doctor_ (_who was a great believer in a little "playful badinage"_). "OH DEAR! OH DEAR! AN' WHAT A TARRIBLE DEPRESSIN' SOIGHT YE'VE GONE AN' MADE OV YERSILF! WHAT IS UT NOW, IS UT A '_TABLEAU VERVANT_' YE'RE PLAYIN' AT, OR WHAT?" (_Further attendance dispensed with._)] * * * * * PANEFUL! It was the Palace of the Board, The Board of London's Schooling, Where Members lately have enjoyed Some high artistic fooling. "Oh, why"--hear Mr. COXHEAD plead, In tones of sheer amazement-- "Do hideous faces wrought in glass Stare down from every casement?" Then up spake General MOBERLY, The Board's supreme apologist, And told them all the time of day Like any good horologist.