_John Bull (loq)._ "VERY KIND OF HER MAJESTY TO LET ME SEE HER JUBILEE GIFTS; BUT I WONDER WHEN HER ADVISERS WILL ALLOW ME TO SEE MY OWN!"] * * * * * ECHOES FROM ST. JAMES'S PALACE. (JUBILEE DEPARTMENT.) _Crowd discovered besieging entrance to Staircase. Policeman examines bags for concealed Dynamite._ _Loyal Old Lady (presenting reticule for inspection)._ Which there's nothing in it but a few cough-drops. _Policeman (exercising a very wise discretion)._ Pass on, Mother! ON THE STAIRS. _'Arry (to Halfred--taxing his memory)._ I dunno as I was ever 'ere before--was _you?_ _Halfred (conscientiously)._ Not to remember. _A Deliberate Old Gentleman, full of suppressed general information (to his two boys)._ Now, the great thing is not to hurry--we shall find much deserving of careful study here. [_Faces of boys lengthen perceptibly._ _An Aunt (to Niece)._ You'd better go first, ELIZA; then you can read it all out to me as we go along. _Confused Murmurs_--"Where's Grandma?"--"It _is_ ridiklous to go pushing like that!"--"Well, the Pit's a joke to this!" &c., &c. IN THE STATE APARTMENTS. _Delib. O. G._ This, boys, is the ante-room, and here, you see, is a trophy presented by the Maha---- [_Puts on glasses, to inspect label._ _Policeman (loudly)._ Now then, Sir, don't block the way, please,--keep moving! [_O. G. moves on, under protest, to secret relief of boys._ _The Aunt (examining pair of Elephant Tusks set in carved Buffalo's Head)._ They may call them "tusks" if they like, ELIZA,--but anyone can see they're horns. They belong to one of them "Cow-Elephants," depend upon it! [_Peers anxiously about in vain attempt to discover it._ _Loyal Old Lady._ There's nothing here but these caskets. I thought they'd the Jubilee Cake on view! _Visitor (in state of general gratification)._ Ha! they've given her some nice things among 'em, I must say. There, you see,--an arm-chair,--always come in useful, they do! _Female V._ JANE, come here, quick! (_They gaze reverentially on carved chest full of slippers._) That's what I call a _nice_ present, now,--but, if they were mine, I should unpick all that raised embroidery inside the soles before ever I put 'em on! _Jane._ Well, I suppose she wouldn't only wear them when she's in _state_. _Policeman._ Now, Ladies, please don't linger! Pass along, there! _The Well-informed Old G._ You see this device, formed of green and yellow feathers, boys. Well, these feathers come from---- _Policeman (as before)._ Don't stop the way, Sir, please! _Old G. (hanging on obstinately to barrier)_----The Sandwich Islands, and are worn exclusively by--(_is swept on by crowd, and wedged tightly against case containing samples of woollen products--boys dive under red cord, and escape_).