Between nose and nose a strange contest arose Concerning the smells from a brewery. Some thought them like Eau de Cologne, whilst their foes Denounced them as sickly and sewery. 'Twixt the Rhine, which (see COLERIDGE) washes Cologne, And that sweet "Cologne water" that scents it, How now shall the difference truly be known? Strange comparison! Reason resents it! Oh! what _is_ an odour, and what is a "stink"? (As the outspoken schoolboy will dub it.) If man's nose is asked to decide, well, I think, In puzzlement pure man must--rub it! If the fragrance of "grains" will to some suggest drains, And to others bright Bendemeer's roses, Sanitation's big problem a puzzle remains, Since it all seems a question of noses. * * * * * NEW DIRECTOR TO ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC.--"Who would succeed Sir GEORGE GROVE?" that was the question. The answer to the inquiry was, "Who but PARRY?" Whereupon HUBERT PARRY was appointed. Now, all music at the College, of whatever nationality, will be taught _à la mode de Parry_. * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. [Illustration] Some people are disposed to deny to Mr. GLADSTONE a sense of humour. They will surely reconsider their judgment in view of the fact that the late PREMIER made the author of _Work and Wages_ (LONGMANS) a Lord-in-waiting to the QUEEN. The volume contains in handy form a series of addresses and papers spoken and written by Lord BRASSEY during the last quarter of a century. They disclose profound knowledge, not only of the principles that underlie the connection between Work and Wages, but of the everyday practices that sometimes control it. Throughout, the book is marked by a broad spirit and statesmanlike view which, if more common, would make strikes much more uncommon. As Mr. GEORGE HOWELL in his introduction points out, when in 1869 the young member for Hastings (not yet Lord BRASSEY) addressed the House of Commons on the subject of Trade Unions there were very few members who knew anything about the subject, except that they did not like it. Mr. BRASSEY, the son of one of the greatest employers of labour of the day, had the breadth of mind to recognise the right of industrial organisation representing labour, and lived to see the ban against trades unions removed by the House of Commons. The book is, my Baronite says, the most valuable contribution to the intricate question discussed of any recently published. Truly a most remarkable work for an ex-lord-in-waiting. We shall next hear of Mr. "BOBBY" SPENCER coming out with a treatise on the Solar Parallax.