_Fourth Well-Informed Politician (who has been waiting his chance, putting down the "Daily News")._ I don't suppose _this_ country will play any game, at all events, till the Grand Old Man's in again. _First Well-Informed Politician (hotly)._ What! The Grand Old----! Why, Sir, what do you mean? Why it's he who's responsible for every blessed muddle and mess, including this Egyptian business, that has overtaken the country for the last twenty years. Bless my soul, Sir, I can't understand your having the face to put forward such an opinion. _Fourth Well-Informed Politician (doggedly)._ Oh, you may bluster, but you won't change my view of things, I can tell you. GLADSTONE'S the man for Egypt, and for everything else. _First Well-Informed Politician (boiling over)._ Confound it, Sir. Do you wish to insult me. I'll tell you what it is, Sir, I'll----I'll---- [_Left throwing more light on the situation as scene closes in._ * * * * * BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE. [Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL said that the loss of the North Paddington Election might prove a "blessing in disguise" to the Unionist Party.] _Unhappy Unionist loquitur_:-- Oh, GRANDOLPH, GRANDOLPH, was it all your chaff? I for your _real_ thoughts would give a penny. Of such strange "blessings" we could spare one half; We have so many. There's SMITH; no doubt _he_ is a blessed boon; His dash, his sparkle, and his tact are wonders. But why _does_ he "disguise" them late and soon As awkward blunders? Then BALFOUR; he is courtesy's pure pink, But why will he persist in masquerading As cynic rudeness? Such "disguise," I think, Is most degrading. MATTHEWS, again! Yes, he _au fond_ would bless A Cabinet of angels! 'Tis surprising To see him as a muddler in a mess Himself "disguising." Then you yourself, my GRANDOLPH! Blessings flow From your bold eyes and trim moustache so tufty, But why, sweet benediction, choose to go So much in _mufti_? When you to spot our blunders use those eyes, And of our errors turn astute detective, Whate'er the "blessing" may be, the "disguise" Is most effective. The "Union" Cause our Country's cause remains, But oh! how long shall we remain its bosses, If all our blessings come disguised as banes, Our gains as losses? Is it, sweet optimist, too much to ask That you, and all our failures, muddles, messings, Should, just to comfort us, throw off the mask, And come _as_ blessings? * * * * * We were glad to hear that the charges brought against the London Scottish rested upon the slightest possible foundation. There let them rest. They will not now change their title to the London Skittish. * * * * * DUMB CRAMBO AT WIMBLEDON. [Illustration: Bar'll cool her]