SIR CHARLES LYELL, according to a correspondent of the _Daily Telegraph_, is credited with the saying that there are three things necessary for a geologist: the first is to travel; the second is to travel; and the third, also, is to travel. This seems to mean that your geologist must travel, travel, travel over the face of the earth in order to be enabled to explore its interior. The earth is round; so is your plum-pudding: the earth has a crust; so has your mince-pie. Happily, conditions like those needful for the exploration of the earth do not delay analogous researches. * * * * * Problem for the Poet Laureate. THE Knights of KING ARTHUR'S Round Table of course formed a Circle when they sat round it. Tournaments in general used to come off in lists; but can the Author of _The Last Tournament_ inform a Spiritualist whether, in a _sèance_ of ARTHUR'S Knights at Table, there was ever any table-tilting? * * * * * MRS. WASHTUB ON TELEGRAMS. Ah, drat them nasty telegrams that keeps folks all in sitch a flurry, Whenever there's the least to-do, with constant worry, worry, worry! I recollect in my young days when there was no sitch expectation, And news to travel took its time, suspense was bore with resignation. What was to be, we used to say, would be, and couldn't be prewented, Which 'twas consolin' for to think, and made one happy and contented. What would be we should live to see, if we lived long enough, 'twas certain, And p'raps it might a mercy be the future was behind the curtain. Misfortunes came, as come they must, in this here wale of trile and sorrow. But then, if bad news come to-day, no news was like to come to-morrow. No news was good news people said, and hoped meanwhile they might be better, Leastways until the next day's post brought 'em a paper or a letter. 'Tis true, relief as soon may come, sometimes, by artificial light'nin'. When days and weeks of dark and storm you've undergone afore the bright'nin': All's well as ends well, thanks be praised, the croakers found theirselves mistaken-- But by them plaguy telegrams how my poor old narves have bin shaken! * * * * * CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR THE CLAIMANT.--_Coleridge's Works._ * * * * * TWELFTH NIGHT THE closing night of the Christmas season is observed by every nation in Europe, except Switzerland, in which country the Republican form of government introduced by W. TELL (the first President), prevents the recognition of Kings and Queens.