When penny oranges fetched tuppence, and bottled Porter became stout by the change of situation; And used to pay—but, lor! what Wouldn't one pay in a wiolent perspiration! BILL. Boys could whistle then, and with only Their wital part heat the steam-engine really; I have heard that a gallery in full Whistle once blew out the great chandelier—nearly. TOM. Hallo! that's six o'clock! so I must cut away, As time's rather pressing; And our Jane's back-hair's too short to turn Up, and too long to hang down, so she Takes a long time a dressing. BILL. No apology, Tom; I'm not one of them Chaps as is over nice; And if I can hold a gennelman's horse, and get Another penny, I'll come in at half-price. SPORTS AND PASTIMES. For the benefit of our young readers, and, indeed, for the advantage of children of a larger growth, we subjoin a few games, adapted to the meanest capacities, and the most limited pecuniary resources. THE POSTMAN. The game of Postman is little known by the title we have given it, but it is very frequently played at. It is a cheap amusement—if done well; but a good deal may be lost at it, if it is not skilfully managed. It can be played at by three or four at a time, or even more, and it may also be indulged in by a single individual. The game consists of giving a postman's knock at any door, and running away as fast as possible. THE CABMAN. This is a very amusing game, and is very easily played at. Fix your eye on any particular cabman, and he will be sure to come off his stand as rapidly as he can, thinking that you intended to hail him. The fun of the game may be increased by looking at three or four on the same stand, when they will all rush off the rank, and you have only to explain that you "merely looked, but don't want a cab;" upon which they will very likely begin quarrelling with each other, and thus add materially to your amusement. [Illustration] OUR PRIZE PROPHECY. Some of the subscribers to this Almanack have represented to us that it is scarcely complete without a prediction, and we have, therefore, been on the look out during the year for an eligible prophecy. We were for some time in treaty with a professor of the cabalistic art; but, as one of our stipulations with the soothsayer was, that the prediction should not be paid for until it was realized, the sage, with considerable indignation, declined the engagement. We have consequently resolved on throwing open the prophetic department to public competition, and we therefore invite the attention of professional seers to the following conditions:—