* * * * * LINES IN PLEASANT PLACES. VI.--KEW GARDENS. In the gardens at Kew It were certainly sweet To be wand'ring with you, Far from city and street; 'Twere the one thing, dear NELLIE, my joy and content to complete In the gardens at Kew. In the gardens at Kew, If my way I might take By the water with you, Oh! how merry we'd make,-- I am sure you would dote on the dear little ducks in the lake In the gardens at Kew. In the gardens at Kew, Having tea _à la fraises_, We would cheerfully stew 'Neath the fierce solar rays, And in "eloquent silence" you'd meet my affectionate gaze In the gardens at Kew. In the gardens at Kew We would sit in the shade For an hour or two, Without chaperone's aid, And your head on my shoulder (who knows?) might be lovingly laid In the gardens at Kew. In the gardens at Kew, Far away from the crowd, Though I'm longing for you, To stern Fate I have bowed: For it grieves me, dear NELLIE, to tell you, "_No dogs are allowed_" In the gardens at Kew! * * * * * _NOT_ MASTER OF HIMSELF THOUGH CHINA FALL. ["The Emperor (of China) is still cursed with the violent temper of his adolescence, and "breaks things."--_"Times" Correspondent at Pekin._] Oh! is this announcement plain truth? Or is it mere genial mockery? And _what_ does this choleric youth Of China thus break--is it crockery? It does seem unfitting, you know-- At least as we Westerners see things-- That the lord of Souchong and Pekoe Should be guilty of smashing up tea-things! Of course, if he had an idea Of breaking the Japanese bondage, Or breaking their hold on Korea,-- Well, youth is a fiery and fond age, And old age _might_ find an excuse For breaking the peace; but kind wishes Can hardly invent an excuse For breaking the plates and the dishes. He is youthful, like little AH SID, It would be very mean to malign a Mere boy; yet a true Chinese kid Should not start with the smashing of China! * * * * * The Cry of the (Literary) Croakers. Batrachians may doubt if King Stork or King Log Be the Frog-pond's most suitable lord and controller; But Grub Street's unfortunate _un_lauded frog Loathes the rule of the new King Log-Roller! * * * * * MEM. BY AN OVERWORKED ONE. With "brain-fag" our swift, feverish age is rife, And death is oft the mere "fag-end" of life. * * * * * SOMETHING LIKE A "PACKED MEETING."--The meeting of the various Arctic Expeditions in the Polar Ice Pack. * * * * * [Illustration: "TO BE WELL SHAKEN BEFORE TAKEN!"] * * * * *