_Villa Magali._--Delicious climate! STUART-RENDEL says it "reminds
him of Devonshire, without the damp." Mention of Devonshire reminds
_me_ of the DUKE. Try to point out to my friends that the Rossendale
Election shows conclusively--Curious! Friends all get up and go out!
Seems that ANDREW CLARKE specially told them I was to "avoid all
excitement, over-exertion, and talk about politics!" Wish CLARKE would
not be so unreasonable. _Must_ talk about Rossendale to somebody.
_Off to Hyères_--to see CHILDERS. Find CHILDERS tolerably chatty.
Doesn't seem to care so much about Rossendale result as I should have
expected. STUART-RENDEL comes to fetch me. Ahem! Off.
_At Monte Carlo._--Feel so well, have looked in here. Meet WELLS, the
"Champion Plunger." Asks me if I've got a system; he's "been losing
heavily, and would be glad of any hint." Suggest his putting on the
numbers of Rossendale Majority. WELLS seems pleased at idea. Does so
at once, and loses 10,000 francs straight off. Meet him in grounds
afterwards, and try to explain real significance of Rossendale
election. WELLS disappears. Curious! _Can_ ANDREW CLARKE have got at
WELLS?
_Golfe San Juan._--French war-ships in Bay. Admiral might like to know
my views on Rossendale and politics generally. Taken on board. Admiral
much interested in MADEN's victory. Admiral asks if it was the "_Grand
Prix_" that MADEN won? Find he thinks MADEN is a horse. Disappointing.
[_Query_--ANDREW CLARKE again?] Sent on shore in boat, amid cheers
from sailors. Gratifying.
_Back to St. Raphael._--Tired, but on the whole gratified with my day.
Friends pained to hear what I've done, and threaten to telegraph for
Sir ANDREW! Shall pack up and return. Letter from MORLEY begging me to
stay where I am. Odd! Can Sir ANDREW have got at JOHN MORLEY? Bed, and
think it over.
* * * * *
BROTHER BRUSH, A.R.A.--Stan' up, STANHOPE FORBES! and receive our
congratulations on your election. STAN-HOPE deferred maketh the
painter's 'art sick of waiting, and now A FORBES, not _The_ FORBES
(which his name is JAMES STAATS, C.L.C. & D.R., &c., &c.), but the
STANHOPE A-foresaid, has obtained his first grade. With what pleasure
will the Art-loving Chairman see his STANHOPE "on the line!" In
Burlington House, of course we mean, as elsewhere, the situation would
be one of no slight danger.
* * * * *
"PLEASED AS PUNCH."--A paragraph in the _D.T._ informed _Mr. P._
and the public generally, that "Dr. ROBSON ROOSE and Mr. ALLINGHAM
are contented with Mr. EDWARD LAWSON's progress." "If Box"--"And
Cox"--"are satisfied," then of all Mr. E.L.'s friends in front none
will be more delighted to hear of his complete recovery than his
neighbour, _Mr. Punch_, of 85, Fleet Street.
* * * * *
SOMETHING NEW IN SOAP.--The Soap Trade is still booming. Almost every
week appears a fresh candidate for public favour, its claim based upon
some alluring speciality. We hear of a newcomer likely to take the
cake (of soap). On all the walls, and in most of the advertisement
columns, will presently blaze forth its proud legend:--"The
Satisfactory Soap--Won't Wash Anything."
* * * * *
[Illustration: LEGAL IMPROVEMENTS.
IN ORDER TO HUSBAND OUR JUDICIAL STAFF, IN FUTURE A JUDGE WILL BE
EXPECTED TO HEAR TWO CASES AT THE SAME TIME.
PORTRAIT OF A JUDGE TRYING A THEATRICAL "CAUSE CÉLÈBRE," AND A NICE
QUESTION AS TO A "REMAINDER-MAN" AND A "TENANT IN TAIL MALE."]
* * * * *