“_This comes hopping that you are most healthful, as it leaves me at present. You will be joyed to hear that I am about to be matrimonialized to a Zuluish lady of the richest colour--with movable joints. That Majestuous lady the Royal Nurse having declined me with much pleasure, has offered to be sisterish to me; but the Zuluish lady objects, so I have had to separationize myself from the Majestuous one with considerable distance. Before we parted I begged for one of those most twistful corkscrew curls as a keepsake, and she extravaganteously presentuated me with the lot--they fasten behind the head with considerable stringiness, or it may be even black tapeishness; it is hard to tell which is what in this life. “The Prince of Whales has given me a new coat--of paint--and as my Zuluish lady dresses with much simpleness, we shall doubtfully domesticate with great happiness._ [Illustration: 205] “_Please give my devotionated affection to that Majestuous lady, and say I will think of her with much continuation and perpetuation, and also the curls, which shall never leave my head--as it leaves her at present. “Yours contentuously,_ “One-and-Nine “_N.B.--She had another set in her box_” “I suppose he means another set of curls,” thought Boy, “which would account for the change in Mrs. Martha Matilda Nimpky’s appearance. Well, I’m sure I hope that One-and-Nine will be happy with his Zulu bride. What a funny chap he is, to be sure!” Later on in the day the Prince and Princess and the little King held a reception, to which all the principal inhabitants of Zum were invited, and, of course, all the Court dignitaries were present. The Public Rhymester was also there, through the influence of his friend the Advertiser General. The Prince made a speech from the Terrace, in which he informed the people that he should, of course, take the reins of office himself now, and would do his best, when King of the Country, to promote the welfare of his subjects. The Princess was most popular too, and by her beauty and condescension captivated all hearts. In the evening there was an _al fresco_ concert in the beautiful Palace gardens, which were brilliantly illuminated for the occasion. Amongst the items on the programme were some songs by the “Pierrot Troupe,” and Boy anxiously wondered if _his_ Pierrot would be amongst them. To his great delight he found that he was, and when he stepped forward with his banjo, and began the well-known tune to “The Little Tin Soldier,” Boy applauded vigorously. The words, however, were quite different, and went somehow like this-- THE MARRIED TIN SOLDIER. ``One night as I paused by the Nursery door, ```And looked at the scattered toys, ``I said to myself, “Was there ever before ```Such troublesome girls and boys?"= ``And then as I hurried to gather them up, ```I heard a wee voice complain, ``"Oh! sorry am I that I ever was wed, ```And would I were single again!”= ``On the ground at my feet lay a soldier red,