=Mediterranean.=--... Here we have, in perfection, all the materials of a French lake. The water is there, the shores are there, there are no tides. What could be better? Nothing disturbs the Gallic character of this charming inland sea but the occasional presence of a line of coast belonging to another country, such as Italy, Spain, Turkey, Austria, or the accidental chance that has given an island here or a fortress there to England. But what are obstacles such as these to a new Minister of Marine fresh from a newspaper office? Why should England, the eternal _boule-dogue_ in the manger, enjoy in the persons of her statesmen the monopoly of ornamental, if indiscreet, metaphors? If it is impossible to expel Nature with a fork, why should not I, in the infectious warmth of a banquet, be permitted to employ the long spoon of Lord Joseph Chamberlain?... [_The New Volumes also contain Articles on CARTHAGE, CORSICA, and AFTER-DINNER ORATORS._] =Meredith, George.= _See_ ORDER OF MERIT--in vain. Superb Plate from the Article =Poetry= in the New Volumes of the INSIDECOMPLETUAR BRITANNIAWARE. [Illustration: MR. ALFRED AUSTIN’S WREATH. MR. ALFRED AUSTIN’S WEAPON.] A CURIOUS TRIBE. _From the Special Article (28 pages) by Sir JOHN GORST._ =Nonconformists.=--... Always a belligerent people, nothing so excites the fighting instincts of this tribe as the Beast with the Seven Clause. The sight of him produces in them every symptom of activity. Preparations for the strife may be seen in all directions. Their chiefs, the principal of whom are KLIPHUD and PAJOPS, rally their hosts with such battle-cries as NOPOPRI, NODOLES.... [_The New Volume also contains Articles on RATE-PAYING, HUGHLIGANS, and BIRMINGHAM._] BLUNDELLING AND BLUNDERING. _From the Special Article (41 pages) by Sir BLUNDELL MAPLE, Bart., M.P._: