AT a meeting of Railway Directors, which will probably be held in the
middle of next week, it will be resolved, in order to increase the
safety of the public, that no pointsman, guard, or engine-driver, shall
ever be on duty much more than six-and-forty hours at a stretch; and
that every such servant shall always, when on duty, be allowed at least
four minutes, no less than three times daily, for enjoyment of his
meals. With the like view of security, it will also be resolved that
porters shall on branch lines be required to act as pointsmen,
signalmen, and ticket-clerks, and that due and timely notice of the
changes in the time-bills shall on no account be furnished to the
drivers of goods trains.
* * * * *
To the Afflicted.
A WORD of comforting advice to all those--and they are many--both men
and women, who are nursing a secret sorrow, grieving that they are
short, small of stature, below the average size. Let them think of those
more than consolatory words, in that famous passage in _Henry the
Eighth_, where SHAKSPEARE speaks of--"the blessedness of being little."
* * * * *
[Illustration: EASILY SOLD.]
SCENE--_Railway Station in a Town where Highland Regiment is quartered.
Foxhunters taking Train for the Meet._
_Little London Gent._ "HE AIN'T GOING OUT HUNTING, TOO, IS HE?"
_Funny Friend._ "OF COURSE HE IS."
_Little London Gent._ "WELL, BUT--WON'T IT BE RATHER RISKY RIDING IN
THOSE----TOGS?"
* * * * *