["... Local option ... if pretending to the honour of a remedy, is little better than an imposture.... I am glad to see that Mr. CHAMBERLAIN is active in your cause."--_Extract from a Letter written by Mr. Gladstone to the Bishop of Chester. See Daily Paper, Sept. 19._]] * * * * * Friendly Lead for the Owner of "Ladas." The Nonconformist Conscience, which doth mark Poor PRIMROSE with the ire of an apostle, Will probably consider it a lark To see swift _Ladas_ beaten by a _Throstle_. Accept the omen, ROSEBERY; turn 'cute hedger; And try the Bethel blend of "Saint" and "Ledger." * * * * * THE PLEA OF THE PARTY SCRIBE.--It is said that "upright writers" avoid scrivener's palsy or penman's cramp. Perhaps so. But then there is so little demand for upright writers! * * * * * LYRE AND LANCET. (_A Story in Scenes._) PART XIII.--WHAT'S IN A NAME? SCENE XXII.--_At the Supper-table in the Housekeeper's Room._ Mrs. POMFRET _and_ TREDWELL _are at the head and foot of the table respectively_. UNDERSHELL _is between_ Mrs. POMFRET _and_ Miss PHILLIPSON. _The Steward's Room Boy waits._ _Tredwell._ I don't see Mr. ADAMS here this evening, Mrs. POMFRET. What's the reason of that? _Mrs. Pomfret._ Why, he asked to be excused to-night, Mr. TREDWELL. You see some of the visitors' coachmen are putting up their horses here, and he's helping Mr. CHECKLEY entertain them. (_To_ UNDERSHELL.) Mr. ADAMS is our Stud-Groom, and him and Mr. CHECKLEY, the 'ed coachman, are very friendly just now. ADAMS is very clever with his horses, I believe, and I'm sure he'd have liked a talk with you; it's a pity he's engaged elsewhere this evening. _Undershell (mystified)._ I--I'm exceedingly sorry to have missed him, Ma'am. (_To himself._) Is the Stud-Groom _literary_, I wonder?... Ah, no, I remember now; I allowed Miss PHILLIPSON to conclude that my tastes were equestrian. Perhaps it's just as well the Stud-Groom _isn't_ here! _Mrs. Pomfr._ Well, he _may_ drop in later on. I shouldn't be surprised if you and he had met before. _Und. (to himself). I_ should. (_Aloud._) I hardly think it's probable.