_Captain._ Well, what is the difficulty? Call out the man who started the subject. Perhaps I may be able to help him. _Sergeant (salutes and turns to Company)._ Private THOMAS ATKINS take three paces to your front. March! Now then, salute, Sir! (_Aside._) This extra education makes them rusty with their drill. _Captain._ Well, Private ATKINS, can I help you at all? _Private Atkins (touching his rifle with his right hand)._ A thousand thanks, Sir, for your extreme kindness and courtesy. Still I cannot fairly monopolise all your attention, as I was only one of many desirous of learning a little law. _Captain._ I suppose you know all about the Feudal System? _Private (smiling)._ I can safely undertake to say that there is not a man in the Company who does not appreciate its provisions. _Captain._ Quite so. Well, the practice of entail is founded more or less on the Feudal System. You understand the advantages and disadvantages of Primogeniture? _Private._ Certainly, Sir. I suppose Borough English was rather before the time of the Norman Conquest? _Captain._ I imagine so: but perhaps the best way will be for you all to come to my quarters, where I can explain the matter more fully to you than I can here. I have no doubt the Colonel will excuse the Company, if I inform him for what purpose we propose absenting ourselves. At any rate I will ask him. _Private._ A million thanks, Sir. I am sure every man in the Company will be grateful to you. _Sergeant._ Right about turn! Quick march! Halt! Front! Shoulder arms! _Captain._ Stand them easy while I go away. (Sergeant _obeys order, and_ Captain _approaches and salutes_ Colonel.) Beg pardon, Sir, but may I march my Company to my quarters to give them a lecture on law? _Colonel (rather querulously)._ Well, DASH, of course I'm not going to say No; but it really is rather rough upon me. Here B Company has got permission to study botany, C Company the elements of engineering, D, F, and G chemistry. I shall be left with H Company, because they have nothing more to learn. What on earth shall I give them to do if you are off too? _Captain._ Wouldn't presume to suggest, Sir; but mightn't H have a little practice in the rudiments of drill? _Colonel._ By Jove, you are right! They are rusty enough! Very well, you may go. [_Scene closes in upon A Company marching towards_ Captain DASH'S _quarters, while the Adjutant gets H Company (with some difficulty) into something like a proper formation for receiving elementary instruction in the mysteries of "fours_." * * * * * A CIRCULAR NOTE.--The literary character of our leading statesmen of all shades of political opinion is well sustained at the present day. They are learned in all the 'ologies, including ap-ologies, of which art Mr. GLADSTONE and Mr. BALFOUR are by this time past-masters. Long may they live--and learn. * * * * * [Illustration: THE IRREVOCABLE PAST!