* * * * * THE King of the National Picture Donors is henceforth "the Potent TATE." * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S DICTIONARY OF PHRASES. (_Which will be found useful in explaining certain Conventional Forms of Expression. Compiled by Professor Von Hombugh._) JOURNALISTIC. "_The Police have a clue._" _Meaning_--"The Police know nothing about it, and are doing all they know." "_An exceptionally experienced Detective has charge of the case, and is actively engaged in investigating all matters concerning it_;" _i.e._, "A promoted constable in plain clothes is loafing about the neighbouring public-houses, and standing drinks, generally without the exercise of much discrimination, to unlikely people." "_A young Woman of prepossessing appearance_;" _i.e._, "A rather showy female." "_The Police are, however, very reticent about the whole affair_;" _i.e._, "When ignorance is rife, 'tis folly to give tongue." "_It is believed that the most important discoveries will result from the investigations now in progress_;" _i.e._, "Nothing is known as to whether anything is being done: but it finishes off the paragraph, and sounds well." "_I am assured on the best authority, that there is no truth in the rumour that H.S.H. the Prince of Katzendlenbogen has been laid up with chicken-pox_;" _i.e._, "As there's no news, I may as well invent some, for the sake of contradicting it." "_As everybody knows_;" _i.e._, "I have a certain space to fill, and nothing new to say, so I'll tell an ancient story, or bring in MACAULAY'S New Zealander." "_As all the world knows_," "except myself (the writer), who has met with the information for the first time in a most valuable book of reference." "_We regret to hear that, &c._;" _i.e._, "Our sorrow is tempered by the fact that we are utter strangers to the individual in question, and that his or her affliction provides us with a certain amount of 'copy.'" "_The hall was tastefully decorated_;" _i.e._, "two hired flags and an evergreen hoop." * * * * * SOCIAL. "_How are you? Haven't seen you for an age!_" _i.e._, "Didn't expect to see you, and didn't want to." "_Not at Home_;" _i.e._, "Doesn't she know that I've got a 'day?' Not that I want to see her even _then_!" "_Of course I should have known it anywhere. I think you've caught the likeness most wonderfully!_" _i.e._, "Why the deuce doesn't he tell one whom it's meant for?" "_Small and early_;" _i.e._, "No supper, and something which will count as 'a party,' at the least possible cost and trouble." THEATRICAL. "_The Management regrets that, owing to previous arrangements, the piece must be withdrawn in the height of its popularity_;" _i.e._, "Not drawing a shilling, company fearfully expensive, sooner we shut up the better."