But after some reflection, with a _soupcon_ of dejection, He announced that he had settled (though, doubtless, mid some fears He might stir up BALFOUR'S fury), there was no case for a jury. His judgment was received in Court with hearty ringing cheers. Then, wild with exultation, up rose Mayor and Corporation, And, greeted by the crowd without, were cheered along the way, Til the Mansion House on nearing, the mob cried, 'midst their cheering, A speech they wanted, and would hear what he had got to say. Then TIM SULLIVAN he spouted;--the mob they surged and shouted, And the upshot of the speech was this, that if, through legal flaws, By any chance your way you see, to battle with the powers that be, You're hero both and martyr if you break the Saxon's laws. So it's no use, BALFOUR, troublin' the Civic powers of Dublin; For if you do, you know that they will meet you just half way; And if fresh accusation you but bring against the _Nation_, The City shure will answer with another Lord Mayor's Day! * * * * * THE REAL GRIEVANCE OFFICE. (_Before_ Mr. Commissioner PUNCH.) _An Official of Epping Forest introduced._ _The Commissioner._ Now, Sir, what can I do for you? _Witness._ You can confer a favour upon me, Sir, by correcting some sensational letters and paragraphs on "Deer-Maiming in Epping Forest," that have lately appeared in the newspapers. _The Commissioner._ Always pleased to oblige the Corporation. Well, what is it? _Witness._ I wish to say, Sir, that deer-shooting in Epping Forest, so far as its guardians are concerned, is not a sport, but a difficult and disagreeable duty? _The Commissioner._ A duty? _Witness._ Yes, Sir, a duty; because, in fulfilment of an agreement with the late Lords of the Forest Manors (to whom we have to supply annually a certain amount of venison), and in justice to the neighbouring farmers, whose crops are much damaged by the deer, we are obliged to keep down the herd to a fixed limit. _The Commissioner._ But how about the stories of the wounded animals that linger and die? _Witness._ We have nothing to do with them--we are not in fault. I mean by "we" those who have a right to shoot by the invitation of the proper Authorities. _The Commissioner._ But are not the poor animals sometimes wounded? _Witness._ Alas, yes! Unhappily the forest is infested by a gang of poachers of the worst type, and it is at their door that any charge of cruelty must be laid. So far as we are concerned, we kill the deer in the most humane manner. We use rifles and bullets, and our guns are excellent shots. As no doubt you will have seen from the report of the City Solicitor, such deer as it has been necessary to kill, have been shot by, or in the presence of, two of the Conservators renowned for their humanity and shooting skill. _The Commissioner._ It seems to me that you should put down the poachers.