_Friday._--Leave in landlord's cart at seven, after usual breakfast. Still raining steadily. Gave landlord all those summer numbers to amuse future weather-bound visitors with imaginary pictures of rural happiness. London once more! Hurrah! Dinner--_not_ eggs and bacon. Theatre. Smoke at club. Avoid JONES. Tell SMITH I know the sweetest place for country peace and seclusion. He writes down the address eagerly. Those summer numbers will amuse him. To bed--any time! * * * * * AT THE WINDOW.--Judging from the tone of JAMES PAYN'S delightful _Note-Book_ this week, one fears that charming and cheery gossiper has been "laid up," has been compelled to take his "Notes" from a sick-couch at a window--has, in fact, for the time, become a window-PAYN! Well, a window is no bad coign of vantage for an observant penman. "The World from a Window" would make an excellent book, and JAMES PAYN would be the very man to write it. Let Mr. PAYN think of it. _Mr. Punch's_ present purpose, however, is to wish his good friend and favourite writer speedy emancipation from the bonds of sickness and compulsory window-watching. * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS. THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES AFFORDED MUCH PLEASURABLE EXCITEMENT TO THOSE CONCERNED!] * * * * * SATURDAY POPS. NEW SERIES. "RUSTICUS," who is clearly "RUSTICUS EXPECTANS," was moved to write to the _Chronicle_ on July 31st, to say that, though not a rich man, he lives in a pretty Surrey village within an eightpenny return railway fare of the City; and has a fairly large and quiet garden, with field, &c. "The trees are all at their finest," he proceeds, "the flowers looking very gay and walking in the garden." Capital fun this, when flowers actually walk about. But no! it's "walking in the garden to-day the thought came to me," so it's a walking thought, comparable, doubtless, to a running commentary. Anyhow. "RUSTICUS" is moved--by the thought of a "tired working-man or band of City workers" who would find in his garden pleasure on a quiet Saturday afternoon--to make an offer. Here are his words:-- "I am a bachelor, therefore I say, men, you are welcome to my very simple hospitality if it is of any use to you. I can do with a limited number every or any Saturday. Any creed or class is welcome. All I stipulate for is honest souls. Come and smoke and talk under the trees and spend a quiet time away from the town. I simply condition--no publicity or fuss, the giving and acceptance of the invitation quietly, honestly, brother to brother. Would you, Sir, forward any letters on to me?" This is of course an example which will be followed, and _Mr. Punch_ has already had the following letter (amongst others), which he now prints with pleasure.