THE _Leeds Mercury_ is such an excellent paper, that _Punch_ takes from
it anything as unhesitatingly as (to use LORD LYTTON'S illustration) one
takes change from an honest tradesman, without looking at or counting
the coins. That journal said, the other day--
"There was a demonstration at Lausanne yesterday, in memory of
the soldiers belonging to GENERAL BOURBAKI'S army who died in
Switzerland, after being interred there last year."
We cannot see why there should have been a demonstration; at least, if
it was a demonstration of wonder, the wonder would have been if the
soldiers had survived their interment. It was Antaeus, if we recollect
aright, whose strength was renewed when he came in contact with the
Earth, but he never went under it, at least not until Alcides had done
with and for him. But is France aware that this is the way in which one
of her armies was got rid of? Is this the boasted hospitality of
Switzerland?
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THE RAINBOW may be accurately described as the real NOAH'S _Arc_.
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[Illustration: A MISCONCEPTION.]
_Passenger._ "AND WHOSE HOUSE IS THAT ON THE TOP OF THE HILL THERE?"
_Driver of the "Red Lion" 'Bus._ "O, THAT'S MR. UMBERBROWN'S, SIR. HE'S
WHAT THEY CALL A R. A."
_Passenger_ (_Amateur Artist_). "O, INDEED! AH! A MAGNIFICENT PAINTER!
YOU MUST BE RATHER PROUD OF SUCH A GREAT MAN LIVING AMONGST YOU DOWN
HERE!"
_Driver._ "GREAT MAN, SIR? LOR' BLESS YER, SIR, NOT A BIT OF IT! WHY,
THEY ONLY KEEPS ONE MAN-SERVANT, AND HE DON'T SLEEP IN THE 'OUSE!!!"
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